Native to southern Europe, Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr, 1855) is an invasive species that has been introduced worldwide through cross-border trade. It has been documented to be distributed in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Africa, and Indo-Malaya. This species, also known as Browsing ant, was first found around a warehouse in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, South Korea, and was probably introduced into the country via cargo. The external morphology and gene sequences were checked for taxonomic identification, and it was identified as Lepisiota frauenfeldi based on comparative analysis of the morphological classification key and NCBI data. This study is the first report of a newly invasive alien ant and provides basic data on the species, including external morphological and ecological features and sequencing results.

Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas, 1865) is a widely distributed Orthopteran species in North America, including the United States and Mexico. Known for causing damage to various crops such as vegetables and grains throughout its lifecycle. In South Korea, it has been observed concentratedly in the vicinity of the Onsan National Industrial Park in Ulsan and was designated as “Ecosystem Disturbing Species” by Ministy of Environment in 2020. This study aims to present foundational data on pest management strategies for Melanoplus differentialis identified within the Onsan National Industrial Park. Through collaborative efforts between the National Institute of Ecology, related agencies, and tenant private companies from 2020 to 2023, we will demonstrate the reduction in habitat area as a result of proactive pest control measures.

2023년에 국내에서 보고된 적이 없던 외래흰개미 3종이 각각 인천, 서울, 창원에서 발견되었다. 종 동정 결과, 인천에서 출현한 종(Coptotermes gestroi)은 Subterranean termite로 밝혀졌으며, 서울과 창원에서 출현한 종 (Cryptotermes domesticus, Incisitermes minor)은 Drywood termite로 밝혀졌다. 본래 우리나라에는 Subterranean termite 흰개미가 2종이 분포하고 있다고 보고되어 있었으나, 새로운 과 또는 속의 외래흰개미가 발견되면서 국민 들의 우려가 커지고 있다. 국내에서는 일부 외래흰개미를 법적으로 지정(유입주의 생물 2종, 관리병해충 15종)하 여 관리하고 있는데, 해당 흰개미와 그 외의 신규 흰개미의 출현으로 인한 피해가 우려되는 상황이다. 본 연구에서 는 ‘23년 유입된 3종 및 기존 법정관리 외래흰개미, 그리고 국내 유입과 위해가 우려되는 외래흰개미 5과 (Archotermopsidae, Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae, Termopsidae)를 조사하였으며, 이들의 생태적 특 징과 외국의 사례를 통해 외래흰개미 대비 방법에 대하여 고찰하였다.

The large copper butterfly Lycaena dispar (Haworth, 1803; Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) has been categorized as a near-threatened species (NT) in South Korea from 2012 mainly due to limited distribution. In this study, we visited 36 sites spread across all South Korean provinces to verify the distributional range of the species and sequenced mitochondrial COI for 53 individuals from nine sites. We observed L. dispar at 15 sites in six provinces, including the two previously known provinces, indicating a southward range expansion. The in-field monitoring and genetic data collectively suggested that L. dispar does not have a limited distribution nor is it isolated, indicating that it should be reclassified as less vulnerable. Our study demonstrates that the combination of field and genetic data can provide a more reliable assessment of the stability of a species.

To assess the accuracy of species delimitation in the genus Aphaenomurus Yosii, we conducted a comparative micro-morphological study and molecular analysis using two mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and two nuclear genes (18S, 28S) on 118 specimens from 24 localities. The results showed that the morphological characters of A. vicinus and A. interpositus, as presented in the original description, were intermixed in phylogenetic lineages within the genus and did not form independent lineages. Furthermore, there were enough differences among Aphaenomurus individuals to be considered as morphologically distinct species (Th. III is 1+1 or 2+2, Abd. I is 2+2 or 3+3, Abd. II is 2+2 or 3+3), but they do not form an independent lineage. Molecular and morphological analyses have determined that A. vicinus and A. interpositus are the same species, exhibiting morphological variation in dental spines formula, claws, chaetotaxy, and other features. Additionally, the genus Aphaenomurus forms a monophyletic clade, which is further divided into several lineages within the genus. No morphological differences were observed to distinguish these lineages. This cladistic divergence is attributed to heteroplasmy, which is supported by previous studies that have suggested the possibility and problems of heteroplasmy in Collembola, and by the high genetic distances between individuals in the mitochondrial genes of Aphaenomurus.

Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky, 1995, is a small genus in Bethylidae (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea), currently comprising only six valid species worldwide. A new species is described and illustrated from South Korea. Pararhabdepyris sp. nov., which appears closely related to P. paradoxus, is characterized by the combination of the following characters: the basal two-thirds of the scape are dark castaneous, coxa and femora are dark castaneous, the median and submedian metapectal-propodeal disc is rugulose, and the transverse posterior carina is straight. Images of diagnostic characteristics and an updated key to the seven world species of the genus are presented.

The genus Argyresthia Hübner, [1825] of the family Argyresthiidae is known to comprise over 150 species worldwide. Among them, more than 70 species are recognized in the Palearctic region. The Korean fauna of the genus Argyresthia includes 11 described species to date. In this study, we report three species of the genus Argyresthia for the first time in Korea: A. brockeella (Hübner, [1813]), A. longalbella Liu, Wang & Li, 2017, and A. mala Liu, Wang & Li, 2017. All available information, images of adults and genitalia for species are provided.

The genus Grapholita, belonging to the tribe Grapholitini under the family Tortricidae, which is small to medium-sized moths ranging from 7mm to 16mm. It is a relatively diverse group in Grapholitini, comprising more than 150 species worldwide. This group is generally distributed throughout the world, with the majority of its species occurring in the Holarctic region. Some species in the genus Grapholita are known worldwide as serious pests that feed on leaves, roots, fruits and other plant parts. In Korea, the genus is known to have 8 described species up to date. In this study, we report two newly recorded species of the genus Grapholita from Korea, including a brief description and illustrations of adult and genitalia. Additionally, all available information including distribution, host plants and a taxonomic key to Korean Grapholita species is provided.

서부마른나무흰개미(신칭)는(Incisitermes minor) 미국 서부와 멕시코 북부를 포함하여 북미 서부가 원산인 종이며 주택을 포함한 목조 구조물에 치명적인 해충이다. 국내에선 2023년 9월 외래생물신고센터를 통해 경남 창원시 진해구의 한 가정집에서 흰개미 유시충이 발견되었다는 민원 신고로 처음 확인되었다. 그 이후 주변 지역 조사 결과 민원인 주택 주변에서 군집비행하는 흰개미 유시충 및 목재 피해 흔적을 통해 군체를 발견 확인하였다. 또한, 최초발견지에서 약 1km 떨어진 한 아파트 단지의 정자 및 그 일대에서 추가 군체가 확인되었다. 본 연구에서 는 채집된 흰개미의 형태와 유전자 정보를 통해 대상종을 확인하였고, 발견 및 피해 상황 정보를 통해 향후 해당 종의 관리를 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 한다.

Vespa binghami (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is one of the 10 species in the genus Vespa distributed in South Korea and is the only nocturnal wasp. In this study, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species using the Sanger method and using Vespa-specific 30 primer sets. The length of V. binghami was 15,957 bp and the total A/T content was 80.6%. The A+T-rich region of V. binghami was 152 bp, and other Vespa species ranged from 39 bp (V. velutina) to 2,230 bp (V. v. auraria). Compared to the majority of insects, the gene arrangement of V. binghami had differences as followings: trnY-trnI-trnM-trnQ, trnN-trnE-trnS1-trnF, and trnS2-trnL1. However, all species in the genus Vespa registered in GenBank to date were composed of the same arrangement. Phylogenetic analysis using 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes showed the sister relationship between V. binghami and V. orientalis with the higher nodal supports.

This study reports the first records of four coleophorids, namely Coleophora kamchatica (Anikin, 1999), C. lativittella Erschoff, 1877, C. levantis Baldizzone & Oku, 1988, and C. citrarga Meyrick, 1934, in Korea. Additionally, the presence of two species, C. montaniella Oku & Kusunoki, 2018, and C. artemisicolella Bruand, 1855, in Korea has been overlooked in the previous checklist of the family Coleophoridae in Korea, despite there being evidence of their existence. Consequently, with these additions, the total number of known species in Korea has been confirmed to be 42, expanding from the previously identified 36 species. Diagnostic characteristics and photographs of adults and genitalia for the four newly recorded species are provided, along with evidence supporting the presence of the two overlooked species in Korea.

The family Erebidae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) is known as one of the largest families in Lepidoptera, comprising about 1,760 genera and more than 24,569 described species worldwide. Within this family, the genus Plecoptera Guenée, 1852, belonging to the subfamily Anobinae, has been documented across the Palaearctic, Oriental, and Afrotropical regions. Here, we introduce the subfamily and genus for the first time in Korea, along with a new species. The diagnosis, description and photographs of adult and genitalia are provided here.

Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, long from north to south, with temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates in different parts of the country. Based on the results of two years of insect surveys in the subtropical and tropical regions of Vietnam, we conducted a comparative analysis of the species diversity of the Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in the two survey areas, Bach Ma National Park and Protected Forest in the Vạn Xuân region. In addition, the host flora of the identified moths were analysed to determine the differences in host communities.

The family Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) is known as one of the largest families in Microlepidoptera, encompassing about 600 genera and more than 5,000 described species worldwide. However, the genus Altenia Sattler, 1960 has been poorly studied in Korea, with only one known species. Here we introduce a new species, Altenia parascriptella sp. nov., from Korea, providing photos of adults and genitalia for both sexes, along with diagnostic characteristics.

A taxonomic study was conducted on Spilonota Stephens, 1834 in Korea. As a result of the research based on materials from Incheon National University two new species; S. samseong Choi, Bae & Nasu, and S. laticucullusa Choi, Bae & Nasu from Korea. This study provides a brief description of the new Spilonota species in Korea, as well as comparisons with similar species and illustrations of adult and genital morphology.

Stathmopodidae, in the superfamily Gelechioidea, was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1913. This family has various characteristics, such as feeding on crops, moss, spores of fern, aphids, etc., but there is a lot of difficulty in identification due to morphological similarities between species. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the genitalia structure through dissection, but this process necessarily involves damage to the type specimen. To solve these problems, Micro-CT(Computed Tomography) which allows observation of internal structures without damage, was utilized to create a 3D model of the genitalia. In this study, the genitalia structure of Stathmopoda pedella (Linnaeus, 1761), the type species of Stathmopodidae, was imaged using Micro-CT under a resolution of 4 um conditions, providing a 3D description.

The genus Paragabara is recognized as a member of the subfamily Boletobiinae, with six species in the Eastern Palaearctic. In Korea, three species of this genus are known. Konoenko et al. (2010) designated a lectotype for P. flavomacula (Oberthür, 1880) and described a new species, P. curvicornuta. In this study, the misidentification of the Korean P. flavomacula as P. curvicornuta has been corrected. Additionally, one newly recorded species, P. curvicornuta, is reported from Korea. In total, four Paragabara species are recognized in Korea. All available information, images of adults, a checklist, and male and female genitalia, etc., are provided.

The tribe Bythinini Raffray is species-rich pselaphine group including over 600 species distributed worldwide. Despite its diversity, only one genus, Bryaxis Kugelann, has been reported in Korea. In this study, we newly describe Bryaxis sp. n. mainly based on the male antennal modification. We also report a new species of the genus Tychobythinus Ganglbauer from Korea. Members of these two bythinine genera are commonly characterized by the traits of maxillary palpi: elongated second palpomere, shortened penultimate, and enlarged last one. In addition, we conducted phylogenetic analyses to demonstrate the relevance between antennal modification and evolutionary relationship of Bryaxis. To perform the phylogenetic construction, we assembled three mitochondrial genes (cox1, cox2, and 16S) and three nuclear genes (18S, 28S, and wingless) into a dataset. Eleven species of Bryaxis and two Tychobythinus species are included, the latter genus of which are used to root the consensus trees.

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.

Six new species are described that are members of the New Zealand endemic genus Adalmus Reitter (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Euplectitae: Trichonychini: Panaphantina): A. bullerensis sp. nov., A. kanierensis sp. nov., A. karekarensis sp. nov., A. mangamukaensis sp. nov., A. puberilumbus sp. nov., and A. serrilumbus sp. nov. In addition, Dalmisus Sharp is placed as a junior synonym of Adalmus (gen. syn.) and the species Dalmisus batrisodes Sharp, 1886, Plectomorphus longiceps Broun, 1913 and P. longipes Broun, 1912 are placed as junior synonyms of A. velutinus Reitter, 1885 spp. syn. Also, P. rugiceps Broun, 1921 is transferred to the genus Adalmus, comb. nov. Adalmus now holds eight species.