Be careful when ladybirds come close to alcohol

Ladybugs may look very beautiful but they also have ' dark ' faces. In some places, these round-spotted insects have become a nuisance because they invaded houses and crops, including vineyards. Worse, aside from the unpleasant landlord, the ladybirds also secrete a foul-smelling liquid that could inadvertently be processed with grapes and thus ruined the aroma and flavor of alcohol.

Now, chemists at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, say they have identified a number of compounds that are responsible for the poisonous smell of ladybirds, a finding that could provide techniques. New to find and eradicate these troublesome compounds. Their research, which could make wine better, was announced at the 233 meeting of the American Chemical Society.

More and more wine makers say that their wine has an unusual smell and taste, called 'ladybug stains' , because alcohol smells and tastes similar to the characteristic odor of this insect. Wine makers said there were more ladybirds in the vineyard and on the grapes throughout the harvest season. Experts believe that these beetles are accidentally mixed in juice while processing and fermenting, creating poor quality wines.

Scientists have identified a number of chemicals released by ladybirds, which can damage the aroma and flavor of alcohol.(Photo: lternet.edu)

Under the guidance of Dr. Jacek Koziel, an agricultural engineer at the University of Iowa, Iowa University researchers used multidimensional gas spectroscopy and a " gas " to identify and identify The smell is caused by the live turtles, there are all 300 animals, secreted. All these ladybirds are a single species of multicolored Asian ladybirds (scientifically known as Harmonia axyridis).

After putting these beetles into experimental tubes, five in one batch, the scientists carefully analyzed the odors they secreted and they found 28 different odors. In these smells, Dr. Koziel and his colleagues have identified 4 chemicals that are the main reason for the characteristic odor of ladybirds.

All of these chemicals belong to a group of compounds called methoxypyrazine , compounds that produce very strong odors, which are also found in other animals and plants. These compounds are considered harmful to humans. However, according to Dr. Koziel, 'even in very small doses, people can recognize it.' Ladybugs are full of these foul-smelling compounds, he added.

Used primarily by ladybirds as a self-defense weapon against predators when they are attacked or threatened, methoxypyrazine is thought to resemble the smell of green bell peppers or roasted peanuts.

Dr. Koziel said that because these compounds have a very strong odor, even a very small amount can affect the properties of alcohol. Although he and his colleagues did not do any research on actual alcohol, recent studies conducted by other scientists have demonstrated that the increase in toxins of ladybirds may Significantly reduces the strength of natural fruits and flowers in alcohol.

While similar compounds found by other scientists in ladybirds, Dr. Koziel said, his team has identified and identified more chemicals than other scientists, including a new chemical, called DMMP (2,5-dimethyl-3-methoxypyrazine), has never been published before in ladybirds.

Ladybugs, generally considered useful insects. On top of that, ladybirds are a significant source of biological control for aphids, small insects sucking on plant resin harming some major crops. Such a harmful aphid is soybean aphids, an invasive species, which has recently spread throughout the Midwestern region (the Midwest of the United States).

'With this new prey, the' wealth ' of the number of ladybirds, Harmonia axyridis or multicolored Asian ladybirds, has also increased, ' said Dr. Matt O'Neal, co-author of the study. University of Iowa graduate, said. He said that these beneficial insects are now becoming pests by invading houses, plants and vineyards. 'They are really harmful bugs.'

Thanh Van