The family Crambidae, so called as Grass moths, have been known as a difficult group in identification due to their similar wing patterns among the allied species. Some species are well known as pests to the agricultural and ornamental plants of economic importance. Therefore, this study was carried out to provide the DNA barcode and related information for distinguishing the complex species among Crambidae. In this study, we extracted and analyzed the DNA barcodes from 185 specimens of 76 species in the family Crambidae. Based on the result, one species of the genus Schoenobius, Pagyda, Neoanalthes, Palpita, Ecpyrrhorrhoe and Paratalanta area reported for the first time from Korea.

국내 유입 가능성이 높은 검역 관리해충인 Spodoptera eridania 및 S. ornithogalli는 전 세계적으로 토마토, 콩 등 여러 종의 작물을 가해하는 광식성 해충이다. 이에 따라 국내 유입 시 해당 작물에 높은 경제적 피해를 입힐 가능성 이 있으므로 신속 정확한 진단이 필요한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 상기 두 종을 대상으로 현장 활용이 가능한 LAMP 진단법 개발을 수행하였다. 표적종 두 종 및 비표적종 11종(국내 발생 Spodoptera 종 및 동일 기주 가해종 등)의 전장유전체 정보를 확보한 후 비교 분석을 통해 각 표적종 별 특이적 영역을 확보한 후 해당 영역을 대상으로 LAMP 프라이머를 제작하였다. DNA 농도 10 ng/μL, 반응시간 40분을 기준으로 LAMP 진단을 수행한 결과, Spodoptera eridania는 5개의 LAMP 진단 마커를 개발하였고, S. ornithogalli는 3개의 LAMP 진단 마커를 개발하였다.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Hemisphere is now annually arrives in Korea. In this study, we developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, one of the main merits of which is a rapid identification of target species. Five among 11 FAW-specific loci tested successfully provided a consistent reaction when ten FAWs, which were collected from eight localities in four countries were tested, whereas the 13 non-target species were not amplified. To increase in-field applicability of the method all life stages, reaction time, and different periods after death was tested using the quick extracted DNA. Our FAW diagnostic protocol can be completed within 30 min, from the process of extracting genomic DNA from an egg or a 1st instar larva to species determination.

Climate change and biological invasions are the greatest threats to biodiversity, agriculture, health and the global economy. Tomato leafminer(Tuta absoluta) (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important threats to agriculture worldwide. This pest is characterized by rapid reproduction, strong dispersal ability, and highly overlapping of generations. Plants are damaged by direct feeding on leaves, stems, buds, calyces, young ripe fruits and by the invasion of secondary pathogens which enter through the wounds made by the pest. Since it invaded Spain in 2006, it has spread to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and, in 2010, to some countries in Central Asia and Southeast Asia. In East Asia, Tomato leafminer was first detected in China in Yili, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in 2017. There is a possibility that this pest will invade South Korea as well. This study provides this by the use of MaxEnt algorithm for modelling the potential geographical distribution of Tomato Leafminer in South Korea Using presence-only data.

Bombyx mandarina (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), the presumed ancestor of B. mori, has long been a subject of study to illustrate the geographic relationships in connection with origin of B. mori. We report 97 mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences of B. mandarina collected from Korea and Japan. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses showed that all individuals of B. mandarina collected in Korean localities formed a strong group together with all individuals originated from northern China (mainly north of the Qinling-Huaihe line) and some of southern China. This group was placed as the sister group to B. mori strians suggesting that this group had been served as an immediate progenitor for B. mori.

The family Erebidae is acknowledged as a highly diverse group in Lepidoptera. The genus Ischyja Hübner, 1823 has been known from India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, southern China, Borneo, and Sundaland, predominantly in the old world tropic region. This research presents identification of two species, which have been in Vietnam for the first time. With these new findings, the total number of Ischyja species has increased to four. We present a checklist of them, including descriptions and illustrations of the newly recorded species.

In the genus Acrobasis Zeller, 1839, there are 14 species known in Korea. In this study, we present Acrobasis rubrizonella (Ragonot, 1893) and Acrobasis subceltifoliella Yamanaka, 2006 from Korea for the first time. We hear provide diagnoses, descriptions, and images of the adults and genitalia of the two species.

Spodoptera litura Fabricius, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a serious crop pest with a long-distance migratory flight. To date, the DNA barcode region has been widely used in genetic diversity analysis studies of Spodoptera litura. However, the DNA barcode region showed maximum variation rate of S. litura, which from 18 regions in South Korea, was 0.608% (nine haplotypes) in previous study. In this study, four mitochondrial genes (ND4, ND4L, ND1, 16s rRNA) have higher intra-specific variation rates than the DNA barcode region. Among the four genes, The variation rate of the 16s rRNA region was confirmed to be a minimum of 0.203% (2bp) and a maximum of 1.824% (18bp). Finally, the 16s rRNA region with the highest PCR amplification efficiency and highest variation rate was selected as a high-efficiency molecular marker.

Opostegidae is a microlepidopteran family (Lepidoptera: Nepticuloidea) that includes almost 190 species belonging to eight genera worldwide. Since Shin recorded Opostegoides Kozlov in Korea, only two species of the genus have been recorded in Korea among the family. We found the genus Pseudopostega Kozlov, 1988 from Gangwon-do Jeongseon. This study reports the genus Pseudopostega Kozlov, 1985, for the first time. Illustrations of adult and genitalisa are also provided.

The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a native species in East Asia specialized in box trees (Buxus sp.) but has recently invaded most European countries. Due to the absence of its natural enemies in Europe, the economic impact is serious in most countries. In order to find parasitoids as biological control agents in Korea, C. perspectalis larvae were collected from ornamental and native box trees from various regions of the country from 2022 to 2023. While rearing them in the insectary, several parasitoids emerged from the larvae. We found at least six larval parasitoids, including five wasp species and one fly species. Molecular diagnosis using the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed that most samples were 90–97% identical to the data in the NCBI database. Further studies are required to determine biological and parasitic characteristics, such as developmental rate, fecundity, host specificity, and parasitic rate, to clarify the suitability of parasitoids as biological control agents.

Since 2007, diamide insecticides have been widely used in Korea to control various types of lepidopteran pests including Spodoptera exigua. For nearly a decade, diamide resistance in field populations of S. exigua across 18 localities has been monitored using bioassays. Based on the LC50 values, some field populations showed a high level of resistance against chlorantraniliprole, although regional and temporal variations were observed. To investigate resistance at a molecular level, mutations (Y4701C, I4790M, and G4946E) were examined in the ryanodine receptor (RyR), which is the primary mechanism underlying diamide insecticide resistance. As a result, only I4790M mutation was found in most of field populations. As resistance levels varied significantly despite the uniform presence of the I4790M mutation, we considered the presence of another resistance factor. Further, the I4790M mutation was also found in S. exigua specimens collected prior to the commercialization of diamide insecticides in Korea as well as in other countries, such as the USA. This finding led us to hypothesize that the I4790M mutation were predisposed in field populations owing to selection factors other than diamide use. For further clarification, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of S. exigua (449.83 Mb) and re-sequencing of 18 individuals. However, no additional non-synonymous mutations were detected in the RyR-coding region. Therefore, the high level of diamide insecticide resistance in Korean S. exigua is not caused by mutations at the target site, RyR, but is attributed to other factors that need to be investigated in future studies.

Some of Helicoverpa species (Noctuidae: Heliothinae) are among the worst Lepidopteran agricultural pests in the world, such as H. armigera, H. assulta, H. zea, and H. punctigera. Despite different distribution areas, these species possibly migrate long distances both with and without human transportation, mixing insecticide resistance alleles along the way. As these species are morphologically similar at the larval stage, diagnostic methods have been developed and utilized for their identification. Here, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid and effective species diagnosis, along with PCR, to identify Korean field-collected or overseas samples. Species-specific primers were designed by aligning and comparing the mitochondrial genomes of related species, including four species. There are differences depending on the species and the optimal temperature and reaction time of the LAMP assay, depending on the set of four essential primers. For instance, H. armigera sensitivity is good enough to allow visual discrimination when reacted at 61°C for 30 minutes. This simple and accurate LAMP assay can be used for intensive field monitoring and integrated management of these species.

This study was conducted to review of the genus Bucculatrix Zeller, 1839, belonging the family Bucculatricidae of the superfamily Gracillarioidea from Korea. The genus Bucculatrix was comprising more than 300 species worldwide. In Korea, only two species have been reported to date. In this study, a total of 10 species are recognized from Korea. Among them, five species, Bucculatrix sp. nov.1, Bucculatrix sp. nov.2 and Bucculatrix sp. nov.3, Bucculatrix sp. nov.4 and Bucculatrix sp. nov.5 are described as new to science. Also, three species: B. duanwuia Liu, 2020, B. tsurubamella Kobayashi, Hirowatari & Kuroko, 2010 and B. splendida Seksjaeva, 1992 are reported for the first time from Korea. All available information, host plants and images of adults and genitalic structures for species is provided.

Erebidae is one of the most diverse families within Lepidoptera. Erebinae is one of its subfamilies that stands out for having a remarkable diversity, which complicates its taxonomic classification. It exhibits a high degree of global diversity, with many yet-to-be-explored faunal aspects. In this study, we review the historical classification of Erebinae and incorporate the latest molecular phylogenetic analyses alongside traditional morphological groupings. Furthermore, we present a detailed list of Erebine tribes and species found in Korea, highlighting the literature and morphological characteristics employed in grouping genera within these tribes. This study aims to advance our understanding of Erebinae’s complex taxonomy and biodiversity.

To elucidate the mechanism of pyrethroid resistance in Helicoverpa armigera, the study explored three possibilities based on deltamethrin as a model pyrethroid; 1) the existence of mutations in the target site of deltamethrin, 2) the existence of variation at the genomic level between insecticide-susceptible and resistant strains, 3) differences in gene expression patterns between the strains. Based on these hypotheses, three levels of resistant strains and a susceptible strain as well as nine Korean field populations were used. As results, 1) any point mutations were not detected in sodium channel gene. 2) based on newly set Korean reference genome (GCA_026262555.1), approximately 3,369,837 and 1,032,689 variants (SNPs and Indels) were revealed from genome and ORFs, respectively. However, any specific variants were not found to be highly correlated with the level of insecticide resistance. 3) based on DEG analysis, some of detoxification enzyme genes were differently expressed particularly cytochrome P450 genes. Therefore, H. armigera possibly acquires deltamethrin resistance through a combination of actions, including over-expression of various detoxification enzymes such as CYP3 subfamilies and cuticular proteins.

This study presents a thorough identification of species of clearwing moths causing damage to street trees in Korea. Identification was carried out using both morphological and molecular studies, and their intra- and interspecific genetic divergence were analysed via molecular data. The outcomes of this research will facilitate detection of the insect pest species, which is frequently misidentified, as well as forecasting their migration routes in Korea for preemptive control studies.

본 연구를 통해 국내 미기록속인 Tineola Herrich-Schäffer속의 Tieola bisselliella (Hummel, 1823)을 최초로 확인하였다. 해당 종은 모피, 양모, 깃털, 가죽 등 일상용품을 가해할 뿐만 아니라 미술, 역사, 또는 과학적으로 중요한 물품들을 가해하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 한국산 T. bisselliella의 성충 및 암수 생식기를 기재하고 도판을 제공하였다.

한국산 Autosticha kyotensis (Matsumura, 1931) (교토점원뿔나방, 신칭)이 새롭게 추가되었다. 이 종에 대한 성충과 생식기 형태에 대한 사 진 정보와 Autosticha속의 전 세계 체크리스트가 함께 제공되었다.