Five insecticides (Acrinathrin, Dinotefuran, Emamectin benzoate, Chlorfenapyr and fluxametamide) approved for tomato cultivation were evaluated in Frankliniella occidentalis populations collected from Chungcheong province (Cheongyang, Chungju and Gongju). Leaf dip bioassay was used to evaluate resistance levels (LC50). Bioassays on Acrinathrin demonstrated higher LC50 concentration in evaluated populations. In particular, the Chungju population was 745.61 times the recommended concentration of the insecticide. Other remarkable resistance levels were recorded for the Dinotefuran with 435.06 times and 196.29 times the recommended concentrations for the populations from Chungju and Gongju, respectively. Bioassays for Emamectin benzoate, Chlorfenapyr and Fluxametamide showed low resistance to insecticides in the evaluated populations.

Yellow flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis is mainly controlled using chemical control methods. But the continuous use of chemical pesticides in greenhouse may contribute to development of insecticide resistance. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the insecticidal activity of eleven insecticides against the WFT occurring in greenhouse pepper cultivation in the Gyeonggi province. The results showed no resistance in treatments with emamectin benzoate, fluxametamide, and flometoquin while high levels of resistance were recorded in treatments with acrinathrin, acetamiprid, and dinotefuran. The Anseong and Yeoju population was more resistant against spinetoram and chlorfluazuron, respectively, than populations from other regions.

This research explores the complex interdependencies and dynamic interactions governing the adaptation of species co-evolving within the framework of Eco-Evo-Neuro-Devo, using the fascinating fig-wasp mutualism as a model system. Figs, which have many flowers blooming inside the fruit, are completely dependent on fig wasps as pollinators. The fig-wasp mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where fig trees provide a habitat and food source for specific wasp species, while the wasps, in turn, facilitate pollination and seed dispersal for the fig tree. The fig wasp is born and grows inside the fig fruit and becomes an adult. After mating, the female fig wasp is covered with pollen and enters another fruit, pollinates it and lays eggs there. In addition to the fig-wasp mutualism, additional interactions among hyperparasitic wasps, called non-pollinating fig wasp (NPFW), and flies, nematodes are frequently observed, shaping the co-evolution of the symbionts in the fig community. This study aims to identify the symbionts that make up the symbiotic system, their ecological interactions and genome evolution, and build a model to explore the mechanisms of symbiotic evolution at the molecular level. Sampling and identifying figs and fig-related insects through fieldwork in Korea, various techniques including GC-MS, in situ staining, electrophysiology, and diverse omics tools including WGS, RNA-seq will be implemented to investigate how chemical ecologies of the fig community shape the chemosensory systems of species. Additionally, we will build a cross-platform with Drosophila to narrow the distance between model species and non-model species, facilitating comparative studies across different model organism systems.

Scrub typhus is a zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and trombiculid mite larvae, also known as chigger, are known vector. Until recently, O. tsutsugamushi is the only species of the genus. However, two new species Candidatus O. chuto and Candidatus O. chiloensis that causes scrub typhus were reported recently in the Middle East, southern Chile, and Africa. In addition, Orientia spp. bacteria detected from field collected free-living Eutrombicula chigger mites in the United States. Despite these trends, research on new species is insufficient in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, we focused on finding the presence of novel species or strains from chiggers. Specimen chiggers harvested from rodents collected in 16 regions in October 2022 collaborating with the Regional Center for Vector Surveillance against Climate Change were selected. A total of 1,249 specimen belonging 4 genera and 14 species were identified by using a fluorescence microscope and 266 pools were produced by pooling up to 10 individuals per species chiggers. To detect Orientia spp., we screened by using a real-time PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Overall minimum infection rate was 0.56% (7 pools/1,249 tested specimen). After screening, conventional nested-PCR for targeting 47-kDa htrA gene was conducted to obtain sequences, and four of the positive pools were amplified. Through phylogenetic analysis, three pools were clustered with O. tsutsugamushi Gilliam and UT221 strain, and the other pool was formed a clade that was distinct from O. tsutsugamushi. These results suggest that novel species of Orientia may exist in the Republic of Korea.

특정작물의 연작재배가 만연한 국내 경작지 중, 특히 인삼재배지는 인삼뿌리썩음병균, 시설재배지는 선충에 의한 연작피해가 매우 심각하며, 주로 화학·생물학 약제로 방제하지만 효과가 낮고 토양오염과 약제저항성 등의 부작용을 유발하고 있음. 모든 살아 있는 병해충은 고온에 저항성이 없는 장점에 착안하여 마이크로파(915MHz) 전력밀도 균일화 응용으로 경작지 토양 30cm 이상 깊이까지 100℃ 이상 침투 가열하는 마이크로파 방제장치 및 방제기술을 개발하여 토양 속에 존재하는 선충, 개미, 인삼뿌리썩음병균에 적용한 결과, 선충은 60℃, 개미는 50℃에서 완전사멸 되었으며, 인삼뿌리썩음병균은 80℃에서 연작 가능한 수치까지 떨어지는 방제 효과를 나타 냄에 따라 농약을 대체하는 방제기술로 평가된다.

단백질의 구조 예측은 생명 과학 및 의약학 분야의 핵심적인 연구 주제 중 하나로, 단백질의 기능 및 상호작용을 이해하기 위한 주요 정보를 제공할 수 있어 다양한 연구가 수행되고 있다. 이러한 연구의 일환으로 최근 Google DeepMind의 AlphaFold2가 등장하였으며, 단백질 구조 예측 성능을 대폭 향상시켜 CASP(Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction)에서 뛰어난 평가점수를 받아 단백질 구조 예측 분야의 최신 기술을 크게 향상시켰다. 이러한 컴퓨터 기반의 단백질의 구조 예측 방법은, 고전적인 방법을 사용하여 직접 단백질 구조를 결정하는 방법 에 비해 매우 정확하고 빠르며 경제적인 비용으로 수행될 수 있어 단백질 구조 예측 및 생리학 연구를 수행하는 연구자들에게 유용한 방법론이 될 것으로 사료된다. 따라서 본 연구소에서는 곤충을 포함한 무척추 자생동물을 연구하는 연구자들을 위해 단백질 구조 예측을 수행할 수 있도록 64Core/128Threads의 CPU, 256GB의 RAM과 6장의 GeForce RTX 3090으로 이루어진 GPU(Graphical Processing Unit) 고성능 컴퓨터 시스템에 AlphaFold2 program을 구축하였다. 최근 인간을 대상으로 한 단백질 구조 예측 연구는 상당한 진전을 보이고 있지만, 곤충을 포함한 자연계의 동물을 대상으로 한 연구는 여전히 미비한 상황이다. 이러한 자생동물자원연구의 확대를 위해 본 연구소에서 구축한 GPU 시스템 및 생물정보학적 분석 방법이 많이 활용되어야 하며, 이를 위해서는 연구자들 의 협력과 참여가 필요하다.

Medically significant indoor/ectoparasitic insect populations, including bed bugs and head lice, have developed considerable resistance to insecticides due to limited introduction of new genetic traits and the absence of an overwintering barrier. In contrast, outdoor pests like Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes exhibit fluctuating resistance patterns, likely influenced by factors such as overwintering barriers and relatively wider open habitats. Mosquitoes also face selection pressure from diverse sources beyond public health insecticides unlike bed bugs or head lice. Understanding different factors driving resistance among pests is essential for effective resistance management.

In the Republic of Korea, public health centers conduct vector mosquito control in accordance with infectious disease prevention laws. However, most public health centers have traditionally conducted periodic, uniform vector control across their respective regions without considering specific information on vector occurrence. In 2021, The Korea Diseases Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) launched a control project to shift the paradigm toward mosquito control strategy based on mosquito surveillance data. In 2024, 18 local public health centers will participate in this project, which will progressively expanding so that it can be used countrywide. Local public health centers evaluate mosquito monitoring data using data gathered from Daily Mosquito Monitoring System(DMS), which enables them to pinpoint the best times and locations for vector control. Vector control activities carried out by local public health centers are computerized utilizing Vector Control Geographic Information System(VCGIS). Using the new control strategy with mosquito surveillance, the number of mosquito occurrences, number of control activities, and amount of insecticides have decreased compared to the periodic control activities. Based on mosquito surveillance data, it is anticipated that evidence-based mosquito vector control will offer a more efficient and effective means of mosquito control.

About 1 billion cases of vector-borne infectious diseases occur every year, of which more than 1 million is dead in worldwide. Japanese encephalitis and malaria continue to occur, and infectious diseases such as dengue fever being imported aborad have been increasing significantly due to the increasing number of overseas travelers in Korea. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established local centers to monitor pathogen vector population density related to chimate change at 16 locations. We collected 59,389 mosquitoes in traps at 36 collection sites in 30 urban regions and migratory bird habitats in 2023. The trap index was 34.6, and the predominant mosquito species were the Culex pipiens complex, Aedes albopictus, Armigeres subalbatus, Aedes vexans, and Ochlerotatus Koreacus. The mosquitoes were pooled into 4,371 pools to monitor flavivirus infection. In flavivirus dietection, no virus was detected.

IPCC가 발간한 “지구온난화 1.5℃ 특별보고서에서는 전 지구적인 경제피해, 생태계, 종다양성에대한 피해를 언급하고 있다. 우리나라를 기준으로 보았을 때 평균 기온이 상승하는 경우 가장 우려되는 현상 중 한가지는 매개체들의 서식범위가 북쪽으로 확대되어지고 이에 따라 매개체가 옮기는 질병들에 대한 우려가 매우 크다. 특히 국내에 서식하지 않던 매개체들의 유입 위험이 증가되고 있다. 이에 질병관리청은 16개의 매개체감시거점 센터를 운영하고 있다. 하지만 최근 5년간 매개체 관련 과제 숫자는 감소하고 있어 매개체 감시의 중요성이 대두 되어질 필요가 있다.

This study investigated the seasonal occurrence of bark and wood-boring Coleoptera in Pinus densiflora (Siebold & Zucc.) (Pinales: Pinaceae), and Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) (Pinales: Pinaceae) stands using multi-funnel traps baited with pine volatiles in Korea. The number and species of bark and woodboring beetles caught in traps baited with ethanol, α-pinene, and ethanol+α-pinene were compared to determine the effective attractants. In addition, the effects of other pine volatiles, such as (-)-β-pinene, β-caryophyllene, (±)-limonene, β-myrcene, and 3-carene, were investigated. A total of 13,134 wood-boring beetles from 150 species were collected from pine and larch stands from 2019 to 2020. Tomicus minor (Hartig) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults were more attracted to traps baited with α-pinene, whereas Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Cyclorhipidion pelliculosum (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Phloeosinus pulchellus (Blandford) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults were more attracted to traps baited with ethanol. Hylurgops interstitialis (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Shirahoshizo genus group, Rhagium inquisitor (Linne) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Rhadinomerus maebarai (Voss & Chûjô) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were more frequently attracted to traps baited with ethanol+α-pinene than to traps baited with other attractants. The addition of 3-carene to ethanol+α-pinene enhanced the capture of H. interstitialis, R. inquisitor, and Hylobius (Callirus) haroldi (Faust) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Global warming and changes in ecosystems are either causing a rapid decline in insect diversity on earth or, on the other hand, are increasing the likelihood of unexpected insect pests emerging. This study summarizes and reports the followings: Introduction to the Insects of Red Data Book of Korea and Nationally Protected species, the establishment of monitoring strategy for exotic insects by the investigation of species distribution range through field surveys and others, the dispersal of exotic insects, and with the expansion of exotic insects and development of ecosystem impact prediction model.

전 세계적으로 농업해충의 약제 저항성 발달에 따른 방제 효율 저하는 농약의 과다 사용을 초래하여 농업의 생산성 저하 및 환경 파괴 문제 등을 야기하고 있다. 뿐만 아니라 위생해충의 경우에도 약제 저항성 발달이 심각한 수준으로 나타남에 따라 인류 보건에 큰 위협이 되고 있다. 해충의 약제 저항성은 자연계에 존재하는 극히 낮은 빈도의 저항성 형질이 반복적인 약제 사용에 따라 선발되는 과정을 통해 발달 되는데, 해충 약제 저항성의 효과적 관리를 위해서는 저항성 발달 기작의 규명과 신속·정확한 진단법의 확립이 필수적이다. 현재까지의 저항성 관리 는 저항성 발달 후 대응적(reactive)으로 이루어져 왔으나, 미래에는 보다 다양한 분자 마커를 활용하여 저항성 형질 빈도를 관리 가능한 수준에서 유지하는 선제적(proactive) 저항성 관리도 가능할 것으로 예상하고 있다. 본 발표에서는 해충 약제 저항성 연구의 현재 상황과 미래 전망에 대해 소개하고자 한다.

In light of global climate change, Korea faces significant challenges with indigenous mosquito-borne diseases, notably malaria and Japanese encephalitis. Moreover, there is a growing incidence of imported arboviral diseases attributable to the increasing number of international travelers. Dengue fever emerges as the predominant mosquito-borne ailment among Korean travelers, while cases of Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya are also seeing an upward trend. Many countries have witnessed arboviral infections transmitted by pathogens-carrying mosquitoes, primarily due to the introduction of viruses by travelers. Additionally, the ongoing processes of global warming and urbanization are creating increasingly favorable environments for mosquitoes and the proliferation of mosquito-borne pathogens. This underscores the urgency of assessing both the current status and future projections of mosquito-borne diseases in Korea.

As the size of the gaming market continues to grow, game engines like Unity and Unreal are constantly being developed and updated for multi-platform support. In particular, Unity divides the Render Pipeline to be used. Among them, the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) has the advantage of supporting various platforms while improving performance by reducing draw calls and batches at the same quality settings and reducing the load on the CPU and GPU. However, only limited global illumination is supported in the real-time 3D rendering area within URP, such as Baked GI and Enlighten GI, and Enlighten GI will be deprecated after 2024LST, so real-time global illumination is not available in URP, which may reduce the realism and immersion of global illumination in games or applications that use URP. The main objective of this research is to incorporate precomputed spherical harmonics into URP to enable dynamic GI updates in real-time. The approach proposed in this research is to compute the coefficients of spherical harmonics offline and then run them within the URP rendering pipeline, where work exists to effectively simulate dynamic lighting conditions. To demonstrate this, experiments were conducted by changing the rotation and color of the lights, and a comparative analysis was performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theory proposed in this work.