Enzymatic activity of fungi and their pathogenicity to Hypothenemus hampei . Six pathogenic isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were evaluated in order to quantify the catalytic activity of five enzymes and their relation to pathogenicity against the coffee berry borer (H.hampei). Isolates with different degrees of pathogenicity were used,producing a variety of extracellular enzymes such as lipase, protease, phenoloxidase, B-N-acetylglucosaminidase (nagase) and chitinase that are related to the main components of the insect cuticle. In the 9205 and 9620 isolates of B. bassiana and the 9236 and 9303 isolates of M.anisopliae a direct relation was found between pathogenicity and catalytic activity greater than 50% of the total activity for chitinase, protease and lipase. The maximum catalytic activity was determined for lipase, protease and phenoloxidase in the early development stages of the fungus and for nagase and chitinase in the late stages. Some isolates showed a catalytic activity of less than 50% of the total activity evaluated. In other isolates a relation was not found between catalytic activity and pathogenicity. This study indicates that the enzymatic mechanism is part of the integral action of the infection process.