Midgut proteases contribute to the success or failure of Plasmodium infection of the mosquito. This paper examines the
reciprocal effect of Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis on midgut trypsin, chymotrypsin, aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase
in the mosquito Anopheles stephensi. The total protein ingested and the rate of protein digestion were unaffected by the
parasite, but more protein was ingested at the first than the second bloodmeal. All peptidases were unaffected by the
presence of the parasite during the first gonotrophic cycle, when ookinetes were penetrating the midgut. In the second
gonotrophic cycle, trypsin and chymotrypsin were unaffected by growing oocysts, but aminopeptidase activity was reduced
in the midguts of infected mosquitoes. Chymotrypsin activity was depressed and aminopeptidase activity elevated during
the second gonotrophic cycle. Plasmodium infection has a negligible effect on bloodmeal digestion and does not limit the
availability of the protein for egg production. The significance of changes in aminopeptidase activity when oocysts are
present is discussed.