The genus Vespa consists of 22 species worldwide, and their phylogenetic relationships are well established through adult morphology and molecular analyses. However, taxonomic studies of larvae are lacking. In this study, we provided descriptions and taxonomic keys for eight species of Korean Vespa larvae.

According to the Atomic Energy Act of Korea, radioactive waste can be cleared when it meets the criteria, less than 10 uSv·y−1 for individual dose and 1 person · Sv·y−1 for collective dose. Consequently, it is necessary to evaluate radiation dose to get permission for regulatory clearance from the regulatory body of Korea. Several computational programs can be used for dose calculation depending on disposal methods such as landfill, incineration, and recycling. As for incineration, the effects of radionuclide emitted during combusting radwaste have to be considered to figure out exposure dose. In this study, GASPAR code is described to assess exposure dose from effluents released to the atmosphere during incinerating combustible radioactive wastes for regulatory clearance. GASPAR is the code programmed by Radiation Safety Information Computational Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for computing annual dose due to radioactive effluents released from a nuclear power plant to the atmosphere during routine operation. The calculating methods of the code are based on the mathematical model of U.S. NRC regulatory guide 1.109, about beta and gamma radiation from noble gas in semi-infinite plume, radioiodine, and particulates. GASPAR evaluates both individual dose and population dose. The considering pathways are composed of external exposure by plume and ground deposition of effluents, and internal exposure as a result of inhalation and food ingestion. Since the calculation model of GASPAR requires various variables about the radionuclide and disposal site, the accuracy of the results is decided by inputted values. The program contains the default values to parameters such as the humidity, fraction of deposition, and storage time of foods. However, to get permission, it is important to use the appropriate data representing the condition of the combustion scenario as substitutes for the default since the values are localized to the country where the code was developed. Therefore, dose assessment by GASPAR code can be applied for regulatory clearance by incineration, when reliable values depending on the disposal plan inputted.