Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infestation increases the risk of bacterial contamination and alters nutritional content in storage Chinese cabbage.

BACKGROUND: Aphids are common insect pests that feed on and excrete feces/honeydew on storage vegetables, especially in the temperate region of the northern hemisphere. The honeydew of aphids is an excellent growth medium for microorganisms. To explore the effects of aphid infestation on the risk of microbial contamination and food safety: (i) the bacterial diversity and community in aphid honeydew were investigated; (ii) the nutritional components of the cabbage were analyzed; and (iii) safety was evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that the dominant bacteria in storage Chinese cabbage under different exposure times belonged to the phylum Proteobacteria, family Enterobacteriaceae. The richness of Enterobacteriaceae increased from 36.35% (1 day) to 39.70% (5 days) and to 50.74% (10 days) as the exposure time increased. Serratia was the genus with the highest abundance (23.38% for 1 day, 30.56% for 5 days and 37.85% for 10 days). The abundance of pathways associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection and Shigellosis increased significantly after prolonged storage. In addition, when the aphid density increased from 0 to 100 per 250 g of Chinese cabbage leaves, the protein content in Chinese cabbage decreased significantly, whereas the reducing sugar content increased significantly. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the honeydew excreted by the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on storage Chinese cabbage can serve as a medium for some foodborne disease pathogens. The present study may provide both a theoretical and practical basis for vegetable storage to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen infection and to maintain the balance of nutrients. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Effects of wheat-oilseed rape or wheat-garlic intercropping on the population dynamics of Sitobion avenae and its main natural enemies].

Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) is one of the most important pests of winter wheat in China. An investigation was conducted at the experimental farm of Shandong Agricultural University to study the effects of intercropping oilseed rape or garlic with winter wheat on the population dynamics of S. avenae and its main natural enemies. The results showed that in most cases, the population density of S. avenae apterae was significantly lower in wheat-oilseed rape and wheat-garlic intercropping fields than in wheat monoculture field. The population density of ladybeetle and the ratio of ladybeetle to S. avenae were higher in wheat-oilseed rape intercropping field. Before May 2, the population density of aphid parasitoids in wheat-oilseed rape intercropping field was higher than that in wheat-garlic intercropping field and wheat monoculture field; and after May 5, the mummy rate of aphid parasitoids and the ratio of aphid parasitoids to S. avenae in wheat-oilseed rape intercropping field were significantly higher than those in the other two fields. In wheat-garlic intercropping field, S. avenae alatae had a higher population amount, but no significant change was observed in the population amounts of ladybeetle and aphid parasitoids. It was concluded that wheat-oilseed rape or wheat-garlic intercropping could control S. avenae in wheat fields.