Abstract:  【Aim】 This study aims to screen out the safe microwave frequencies and irradiation duration that have a lethal effect on the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, so as to provide references for exploring new physical prevention technology for aphids to make up for deficiencies in chemical control. 【Methods】 The 1-day-old apterous adults of M. persicae were subjected to microwave irradiation at four different frequencies (1 375, 2 750, 5 500, and 11 000 MHz) for different duration (15, 30, 60, and 120 s) in a dark box. Then, they were reared in an artificial climate cabinet, and their growth, development, and reproduction were observed at 8, 24, 48 and 72 h post irradiation, the mortality, the fertility (cumulative aphid yield), and the rate of alate progeny were counted and analzyed. 【Results】 Microwave irradiation at the four different frequencies for different duration had varying effects on the mortality rate and reproduction of the 1-day-old apterous adults of M. persicae, and the wing morph differentiation of their progeny. At 72 h post irradiation, the microwave irradiation at a frequency of 5 500 MHz for 15 s had the strongest lethal effect on the 1-day-old apterous adults of M. persicae, causing a mortality rate of 55.00%, and the microwave irradiation at this frequency for 30 and 120 s inhibited the differentiation of the progeny to alate aphids. The microwave irradiation at a frequency of 2 750 MHz for 30 and 60 s promoted the reproduction of the 1-day-old apterous adults of M. persicae, the apterous aphids had the strongest fertility when subjected to microwave irradiation at this frequency for 30 s, but their reproduction was inhibited when subjected to microwave irradiation at this frequency for 15 and 120 s. In addition, the microwave irradiation at 2 750 MHz for 30 s inhibited the differentiation of the progeny of M. persicae to alate aphids. 【Conclusion】 Microwave irradiation can affect the survival and reproduction of the 1-day-old apterous adults of M. persicae and the wing morph differentiation of the irprogeny. The microwave frequency and irradiation duration that have a lethal effect on the 1-day-old apterous adults of M. persicae have been preliminarily screened out in this study.

Key words:  Myzus persicae, physical control, microwave, irradiation, microwave frequency; growth and development, fecundity