식물기생선충은 식물에 기생하여 식물의 생장을 저하시키거나 심할 경우 식물의 고사를 일으키는 주요 병원 체의 하나이다. 이들 선충은 수입 식물을 통해 국내로 유입될 수 있으며, 이로 인해 식물의 생장이 저하되거나 식물이 죽는 등의 실제적 피해를 야기할 수 있다. 생강은 한국의 대표 음식인 김치를 비롯한 다양한 요리와 음료, 전통약재 등에 사용되는 중요한 식약재료이며, 그 가치와 수요가 매우 높다. 최근 10년(2014-2023년) 동안 종구로 써 사용되는 재식용 생강의 수입량은 총 31,740톤이었는데, 수입 생강 원산지의 대부분은 중국으로써 최근 10년 간 수입량의 99.99%를 차지했다. 동기간 검역처분 내역은 합격 수량이 1,090건(27,637톤), 폐기 수량은 222건 (4,102톤)이었다. 폐기 처분을 받는 주용 원인을 분석해보면, 관리급 선충 검출이 139건, 종구에 흙이 부착된 경우 가 26건 등이었다. 앞으로도 농림축산검역본부는 수입 재식용 생강에 대한 실험실정밀검역을 통해 우리나라의 농업과 자연환경에 위해를 가할 수 있는 식물기생선충의 차단을 위해 최선의 노력을 다하고자 한다.

Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) are widely-distributed pests that feeds on many economically important hosts, particularly tropical fruits and ornamentals. The potential distribution of these mealybug pests into South Korea remains a primary concern because of their high incidence in interceptions screened during inspection. Hence, these species prompted a modelling effort to assess their potential risk of introduction. Potential risk maps were developed for these pests with the CLIMEX model based on occurrence records under environmental data. The potential distribution of these pests in South Korea in the 2020s, 2050s and 2090s was projected based on the RCP 8.5 climate change scenario. Results show that D. brevipes, D. neobrevipes and P. longispinus have little potential for invasion in the exterior environment of South Korea due to high cold stress in the 2020s. However, for D. brevipes and P. longispinus, 3 and 86 locations in Jejudo, were predicted to be marginally suitable for this pest under future climate factors, respectively. In that respect, the results of these model predictions could be used to prepare a risk-based surveying program that improves the probability of detecting early D. brevipe, D. neobrevipes and P. longispinus populations.

The current inspection count for imported grains is 37,072. The scientific management of stored grain, which includes methodical pest identification and control procedures, is highly prioritized in the nations that export these grains. International documents on stored grain pests include a thorough description of all life phases, including mites and larvae, as well as methodical treatment techniques. They are more valuable than domestic manuals because of their comprehensive coverage and methodical management strategies. There is lack of genetic resources and photographs since the identification of stored grain pests in the domestic have been based on data from before 2017. During the course of 13 years(2010-2022) 1,469 incidences of stored grain pests were detected. Of these, 7 orders 34 families and 81 species had cases where the identification was confirmed down to the species level, for a total of 963 cases. This number shows that about 18% of the domestic quarantine site’s stored grain pests are not species-identified. Objectives in this study are to present genetic barcode data, high-resolution photoes for classification and identification, and information on international stored grain pest management techniques. Building on this, a new identification manuals for stored grain pests might be created, which would improve the site’s taxonomic identification levels.

With the increasing indroduction and spread of invasive quarantine pests, accurate diagnosis of pests detected in quarantine sites has become crucial. DNA barcoding, a standardized method that complements morphological analysis for rapid and precise species identification, is actively researched worldwide. In this study, we established a molecular biological identification system for major pests encountered during the import and export of agricultural and forestry products. By analyzing the DNA barcode sequences of pests collected domestically and those detected in quarantine inspections, we compiled genetic information for 1,292 individuals representing 472 species, 108 families across 11 insect orders. Among these, order Lepidoptera had the highest diversity, with 251 species across 27 families. We also secured barcodes for 52 species, 24 families in order Hemiptera, and 70 species, 20 families in order Coleoptera. By constructing a comprehensive biological foundation and database for various pests detected in quarantine sites, we aim to enhance the quarantine system by enabling rapid and accurate identification of invasive pests, thereby blocking early.

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous agricultural pest that damages about 80 species of plants. It mainly damages Poaceae and plants used as food resources for humans. Its original habitat is the American continent, but it unintentionally settled in tropical and subtropical Asia, including Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. It occurs every year even in southern China, which is geographically adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, causing damage to crops. In Korea, it was first discovered on Jeju Island in June 2019 and is being discovered every year in Jeju and some inland areas. In 2023, there were a total of 13 discoveries, including those in the Jeju and Jeonbuk regions. Quarantine agency identified the maternal genotypes of all currently discovered individuals using COI and identified differences in genetic traits between individuals using the sex-related Z-chromosome. For comparison with the information on the individuals that invaded the country, 15 individuals from Guangxi and Guangdong provinces in China were collected and secured. Through the analysis of overseas samples, a database has been added to compare genetic information with domestic invasive species, and the reliability of the analysis is expected to increase.

Solenopsis invicta, known as the red imported fire ant, is an insect native to South America. This species was unintentionally introduced into Australia, New Zealand, several Asian countries, Caribbean countries, and the United States. It shows a high survival rate and settlement potential in human-habitable and non-living areas such as tropical rainforests, disturbed areas, deserts, grasslands, and roads. In Korea, invasions of red fire ants have been reported every year since 2017, and two invasions were discovered in 2023. Quarantine agency analyzing the haplotype and colony social type of S. invicta for surveillance and control. Population genetic analysis using Microsatellite Alleleic data of 66 loci to trace the origin of the invasion. Through research cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), we have received samples and expanded our genetic information database. This study analyzed genetic differences between 15 invasive populations and 44 reference groups. As a result of microsatellite analysis, the domestic invasive population showed a genetic structure similar to those in Guangzhou, China, and Florida, USA.