Highly Efficient Use of Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to Identify Aphid Species

SIMPLE SUMMARY: To date, the identification of aphids, which are serious pests for many plant species, is mainly based on their morphological features. The spectroscopic method, using the chemical composition of the aphid body, has been tested as an option for identifying species. Nine absorption peaks have been established to enable the accurate identification of 12 aphid species. ABSTRACT: Aphids are commonly considered to be serious pests for trees, herbaceous and cultivated plants. Recognition and identification of individual species is very difficult and is based mainly on morphological features. The aims of the study were to suggest the possibility of identifying aphids through the use of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and to determine which absorption peaks are the most useful to separate aphid species. Using FTIR spectroscopy, based on the chemical composition of the body, we were able to distinguish 12 species of aphid. We have shown that using nine distinct peaks corresponding to the molecular vibrations from carbohydrates, lipids, amides I and II, it is possible to accurately identify aphid species with an efficiency of 98%.