Galactolipase, phospholipase and triacylglycerol lipase activities in the midgut of six species of lepidopteran larvae feeding on different lipid diets

► Galactolipase activity measured in insects for the first time. ► Galactolipase activity is high in the midgut of two species of folivore larvae. ► TAG lipase activity is high in the midgut of two species of granivore larvae. ► The specific lipase activity matches the lipid quality of the natural insect diets. ► The galactolipase/triacylglycerol lipase ratio can be used to classify phytophagy.