본 연구는 검거세미밤나방(Agrotis ipsilon) 성페로몬 트랩에 혼재하여 유살되는 은무늬밤나방아과 형태적 분류와 동정법 수립을 위해, 날개 무늬의 형태계측학 분석을 실시하였다. 은무늬밤나방아과 개체는 2023년 11월 부터 12월까지 제주도 애월읍 일대에서 채집되었으며, 콩 해충으로 알려진 콩은무늬밤나방(Ctenoplusia agnata) 을 비롯하여, 다양한 농작물을 가해하는 것으로 알려진 붉은금무늬밤나방(Chrysodeixis eriosoma)의 수컷 성충이 포획되었다. 앞날개의 형태 및 무늬를 가지고 현장에서 쉽게 동정할 수 있는 형태적 특징을 도출하기 위하여, 각 성충 개체의 앞날개를 잘라 현미경 카메라로 촬영하고, 앞날개의 내횡선, 아외연선, 반점 크기 등 15개의 형질 을 측정하였다. 또한 각 형질 간의 상관관계를 분석하였으며 빈도분포를 통하여 두 종간 분리되는 형질을 파악하 였다. 최종적으로 다변량 분석법을 적용하여 두 집단이 어떻게 군집을 이루는지 분석하고, 날개형태만으로 붉은 금무늬밤나방과 콩은무늬밤나방을 구분할 수 있는 방안을 제시하였다.

Subgenus Bothynoptera Schaum, 1863 of the genus Parena is mainly found in Oriental region. Despite this widespread distribution, species of the subgenus Bothynoptera are poorly known in Korea. While a total of 14 species have been recorded worldwide, only 3 species have been recorded in Korea. In this study, as a revisional work of Korean known species, a pictorial key and photographs of habitus and male genitalia for each species are provided, with a newly recorded species in Korea.

Currently, 12 subspecies of Coptolabrus smaragdinus have been recorded in Korea, of which 7 subspecies are listed in South Korea. C. smaragdinus has limited movement due to degenerated hindwings, resulting in high intraspecific diversity due to geographic isolation. Previous studies have been mainly classified based on external characters or genitalia structure, but the differences between subspecies are very ambiguous. In this study, we aimed to more clearly distinguish at the subspecific classification level, by examining the male aedeagal and inflated endophallus. Additionally, we provide photos of adult, endophallus and the process of endophallus inflation.

The genus Bembidion is a prominent terrestrial group found in various regions around the world, encompassing a large number of species. Species of this genus have a reduced apical palpomere, as do all members of the tribe Bembidiini. This study reviews four species belonging to the subgenus Plataphus, which is included within the genus Bembidion. Descriptions and photos of adults are provided.

동물의 종 유지에 있어서 교미행동은 매우 중요한 위치를 차지함. 교미과정에서 수컷의 경우 모든 암컷에 대해 성행동을 보이는반면, 암컷은 가장 적절한 교미의 시기를 정하며, 적절한 수컷을 선택하고 교미행동을 보이기 때문에 암컷의 교미행동을 유도하는 과정은 생물학에서 매우 중요한 의미를 지님. 본 연구에서는 초파리 (Drosophila melanogaster) 전자현미경자료와 총신경망분석 (Connectomics)을 이용하여 초파리 뇌에서 암컷의 교미행동을 조절하는 것으로 알려진 pC1신경의 하부신경 pC1b,c가 성적 성숙과정에서 교미를 하고자 하는 욕구 (sexual drive)를 증가시키는 기능을 하는 것을 처음으로 밝힘. 본 연구에서는 처음으로 pC1b,c 신경 내의 cAMP 수준이 교미의 욕구변화를 보여주는 중요한 물질이라는 것을 밝혔고 cAMP의 수준이 오르기 위해서는 신경펩티 드인 Dh44와 그 수용체 GPCR인 Dh44R1과 Dh44R2가 필요하다는 것을 확인함. 또한 cAMP의 변화는 신경내의 CREBB를 통하여 하위 유전자인 pyx (pyrexia)의 발현을 유도한다는 것을 밝힘. 본 연구로 종 유지 메커니즘을 좀 더 이해할 수 있음.

This study was conducted to review the genus Bucculatrix Zeller, 1839 belonging the family Bucculatricidae. In Korea, only three species have been reported to date (Park, 2013; Lee and Jeun, 2022; 2023). A total nine species were identified in Korea in this study. Among them. two species, Bucculatrix sp. nov.1 and B. sp. nov.2 was described as new to science. Also four species: B. duanwuia Liu, 2020, B. tsurubamella Kobayashi, Hirowatari & Kuroko, 2010, B. demaryella (Duponchel, 1840) and B. comporabile Seksjaeva, 1989 are reported for the first time from Korea. These species were identified by visiting Osaka Metropolitan University and comparing the specimens. Available information, host plants, images of adults and genitalic structures, and DNA barcode for the species are provided.

Pyrethroid resistance in cockroach populations has been a public health challenge since the 1950s. The pyrethroid resistance in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is primarily attributed to knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations (E434K, C764R, and L993F) in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene (vssc). In this study, the pyrethroid resistance state of the German cockroach in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was assessed by analyzing the frequencies of kdr mutations using one-step PCR with total RNA. The results revealed that among the 25 populations examined, 14 populations exhibited the L993F kdr mutation, while no other mutations were detected. Since other cockroach species are also commonly found in human dwellings in ROK, the vssc genes were cloned from four other species, including Blattella nipponica, Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta japonica, and Periplaneta fuliginosa. Based on the genomic DNA (gDNA) sequences obtained from the vssc cloning, primer sets were designed to amplify the vssc fragment spanning the L993F mutation for each species and used to monitor the development of pyrethroid resistance in cockroach populations in the ROK. The study will facilitate the implementation of a nationwide monitoring program to assess cockroach resistance and select suitable alternatives.

The continuous use of pesticides with the same mode of action has lead to the development of insecticide resistance in the target pests. Establishing pesticide resistance management methods and effective control strategies for these pests has become an important target. Bemisia tabaci, a representative pest of greenhouse, directly affects the growth of crops at all stages of its development except eggs. It also causes indirect damage by secreting honeydew that eventually promotes sooty mold in leaves and fruits. In this study, eight insecticides with different mechanisms of action (Flonicamid, Fluxametamide, Spinetoram, Cyantraniliprole, Dinotefuran, Pyridaben, Milbemectin and Pyriproxyfen), and registered for use against cucumber B. tabaci were selected and tested for insecticide resistance. The tested populations of B. tabaci were collected from greenhouse cucumber cultivations in 12 domestic regions. The results were presented as RR (Resistance ratios), and CEI (Control efficacy index) values.

To overcome the challenges in tracking insects underground, a detection method consisting of a metal detector and aluminum tag was developed for tracking a dung beetle, Copris ochus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). First, detection rate was evaluated for varying volumes of aluminum tags varying orientations of the tags under soil. Then, the detection efficacy was evaluated in the field at varying depths of hidden tags in two types of vegetation. Finally, the effect of aluminum-tagging on the survivorship, burrowing depth, and horizontal movement of C. ochus adults were assessed. Generally, an increase in tag volume resulted in a greater detection depth with maximum depth of 17 cm. Orientation, however, did not affect detection rate except when tag was placed perpendicular to the soil surface. In the field, metal detectors could detect aluminum-tagged models with success rates ≥85% up to 10 cm and 45−60% at 20 cm under soil. Finally, no significant effect of tagging on survivorship and behaviors of C. ochus was observed.

Riptortus pedestris is known to acquire their symbiotic bacteria, Caballeronia insecticola, from soil environments in every generation. The symbionts have been demonstrated to affect behavioral and physiological traits of the host insect such as the enhancement of development. In particular, symbiotic effects on female adults could directly entail changes in their population growth. Therefore, we investigated a suite of symbiotic effects of C. insecticola on behaviors and fitness-related parameters of female R. pedestris. Overall, symbiotic females showed an behavioral enhancement in both feeding efficacy and movement capacity including walking and flight. In addition, the survival rates under exposure to overwintering conditions and insecticide resistance level were significantly higher in symbiotic females than the aposymbiotic. Finally, although symbiotic females exhibited shorter longevity, their fecundity was found higher compared to the apo-symbiotic.

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.

The Korea Forest Service has designated seven alpine tree species—Abies koreana, A. nephrolepis, Juniperus chinensis, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, Taxus cuspidata, and Thuja koraiensis—as threatened with extinction in Korea. In 2023, we conducted a study on the seasonal occurrence of insect pests, focusing mainly on two coleopteran taxa (Cerambycidae and Scolytinae) and two hemipteran taxa (Aphrophoridae and Cicadellidae) in subalpine forests dominated by A. koreana, A. nephrolepis, Picea jezoensis, Thuja koraiensis, and Taxus cuspidata. We utilized three types of traps—Malaise trap, Lindgren funnel trap, and window trap—in eight investigation locations in Korea. In this presentation, we present the study results and discuss the effects of insect pests on alpine coniferous trees in Korea.

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.

Climate change has led to increased insect pests and pest distribution changes. Traditionally, chemical control using synthetic pesticides has been the main method for pest management, but the emergence of pesticide-resistant pests has become a problem. There is a need to develop new pest control agents to overcome these issues. Entomopathogenic fungi used in pest management have minimal environmental side effects and possess a mechanism of action distinct from that of synthetic pesticides. However, there is a need for the development of technologies to maximize the insecticidal effects of fungi against pests, and expressing and releasing dsRNA within the fungi can preemptively knock out the activation of the insect’s defense system, thereby enhancing the insecticidal effect. Controlling insect defense genes and using entomopathogenic fungi as bio-carriers forms a new pest management strategy. This approach, described as a “microbial insecticide agents development strategy of cassette concept, ” can versatilely modify genes and microbes. It is expected to overcome the limitations of synthetic pesticides.

곤충 생물다양성의 파괴는 결국 인류의 몰락을 가져올 정도로 심각하지만, 생물다양성을 지키는 것이 그리 간단하지만은 않은 것 같다. 벌목의 곤충은 잎을 섭식하는 식식성부터 숙주의 개체수를 조절해주는 기생성과 집단으로 생활하며 먹이를 공급받는 사회성에 이르기까지 다양한 습성을 갖는 분류군이다. 뿐만아니라 나비목, 딱정벌레목, 파리목, 노린재목과 같이 다양성이 매우 높은 5대 분류군 중 하나이다. 2021년 발간된 한국곤충명집 에 따르면 현재 우리나라 벌목의 곤충은 67과 1,137속 4,223종으로 알려져 있다. 국내 분류학 전문가들의 꾸준한 연구 노력의 결과 우리나라 벌목 뿐만아니라 곤충의 분포 정보는 해마다 늘어가고 있으나, 생물다양성의 손실은 세계 곳곳에서 가시화되고 있다. 국내에 서식하는 다양한 벌목 곤충들이 앞으로도 이곳을 떠나지 않고 우리와 함께 하기를 바라며 이번 심포지움이 국내 곤충다양성 유지를 위한 작은 움직임이 되길 바란다.

In this study, we introduce a novel TiN/Ag embedded TiO2/FTO resistive random-access memory (RRAM) device. This distinctive device was fabricated using an environmentally sustainable, solution-based thin film manufacturing process. Utilizing the peroxo titanium complex (PTC) method, we successfully incorporated Ag precursors into the device architecture, markedly enhancing its performance. This innovative approach effectively mitigates the random filament formation typically observed in RRAM devices, and leverages the seed effect to guide filament growth. As a result, the device demonstrates switching behavior at substantially reduced voltage and current levels, heralding a new era of low-power RRAM operation. The changes occurring within the insulator depending on Ag contents were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Additionally, we confirmed the correlation between Ag and oxygen vacancies (Vo). The current-voltage (I-V ) curves obtained suggest that as the Ag content increases there is a change in the operating mechanism, from the space charge limited conduction (SCLC) model to ionic conduction mechanism. We propose a new filament model based on changes in filament configuration and the change in conduction mechanisms. Further, we propose a novel filament model that encapsulates this shift in conduction behavior. This model illustrates how introducing Ag alters the filament configuration within the device, leading to a more efficient and controlled resistive switching process.

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a prominent technology that can preserve superior genetic traits of animals and expand the population in a short time. Hematological characters and endocrine profiles are important elements that demonstrate the stability of the physiological state of cloned animals. To date, several studies regarding cloned camels with superior genes have been conducted. However, detailed hemato-physiological assessments to prove that cloned camels are physiologically normal are limited. In this study, We evaluated the hemato-physiological characteristics of cloned male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries). Methods: Therefore, we analyzed variations in hematological characteristics and endocrine profiles between cloned and non-cloned age-matched male and female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries ). Two groups each of male and female cloned and non-cloned camels were monitored to investigate the differences in hemato-physiological characteristics. Results: All the animals were evaluated by performing complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, and endocrinological tests. We found no significant difference between the cloned and non-cloned camels. Furthermore, the blood chemistry and endocrine profiles in male and female camels before maturity were similar. Conclusions: These results suggest that cloned and non-cloned camels have similar hematological characteristics and endocrine parameters.

Background: Sperm quality and the number of sperm introduced into the uterus during artificial insemination (AI) are pivotal factors influencing pregnancy outcomes. However, there have been no reports on the relationship between sperm concentration at AI and sperm quality in Hanwoo cattle. In this study, we examined sperm quality and pregnancy rates after AI using sperm inseminated at different concentrations. Methods: We evaluated the motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity of sperm at different concentrations (10, 15, 18, and 20 million sperm/straw) in 0.5-mL straws. Subsequently, we compared the pregnancy rates after AI with different sperm concentrations. Results: After freeze-thawing, sperm at the assessed concentrations showed similar viability and acrosomal membrane integrity. After AI, cattle in the 10 million group had significantly lower pregnancy rates compared to those in the 18 and 20 million groups. Conversely, there were no statistically significant variances observed between cattle in the 10 and 15 million groups. Conclusions: Sperm at concentrations of 10, 15, 18 and 20 million per straw exhibited comparable motility, viability, and acrosomal membrane integrity. However, a concentration of at least 18 million sperm per straw is required to achieve a consistent rate of pregnancy rate in Hanwoo cattle after AI.

During the dismantling of nuclear facilities, a large quantity of radioactive concrete is generated and chelating agents are required for the decontamination process. However, disposing of environmentally persistent chelated wastes without eliminating the chelating agents might increase the rate of radionuclide migration. This paper reports a rapid and straightforward ion chromatography method for the quantification of citric acid (CA), a commonly used chelating agent. The findings demonstrate acceptable recovery yields, linearities, and reproducibilities of the simulated samples, confirming the validity of the proposed method. The selectivity of the proposed method was confirmed by effectively separating CA from gluconic acid, a common constituent in concretes. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were 0.679 and 2.059 mg·L−1, respectively, while the recovery yield, indicative of the consistency between theoretical and experimental concentrations, was 85%. The method was also employed for the quantification of CA in a real concrete sample. These results highlight the potential of this approach for CA detection in radioactive concrete waste, as well as in other types of nuclear wastes.