곤충의 장내에 공생하는 미생물은 곤충의 소화, 발육, 생존, 번식, 필수성분의 합성 등의 특수한 역할에 영향을 미치는 것으로 밝혀져 있다. 최근에 여러 물질을 분해하는 미생물을 이용하여 환경적, 산업적 등 다양한 분야에서 유용하게 사용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 여러 꽃무지과의 곤충 중에서 약용 곤충으로 알려진 흰점박이꽃무지의 3령 유충을 대상으로 공급한 먹이와 배설물, 그리고 장내의 미생물을 분리·동정하여 각각의 미생물의 분포를 알아보고자 하였다. 특히나 절지류들은 그들의 장속에서 먹이를 분해할 수 있는 효소를 분비하는 미생물이 서식하는 것으로 잘 알려져 있는데, 본 연구에 이용된 흰점박이꽃무지의 먹이 및 장내 서식하는 미생물들의 cellulose, skim-milk, starch, lignin의 분해 능력을 확인하여 특정 물질에 대해 우수한 분해 능력을 가진 미생물을 선발하고자 하였다. 흰점박이꽃무지의 3령 유충의 소화기관을 채취하여 마쇄한 것과 부엽토, 배설물을 각각 NA배지에 배양한 후 장내세균을 분리 및 동정한 결과, 장에서는 Citrobacter rodentium균주를 포함해 총 7균주, 먹이에서는 Bacillus toyonensis균주를 포함해 총 12균주, 배설물에서 Klebsiella oxytoca균주를 포함해 총 12균주가 확인하였다. 각각에서 분리한 균주들의 물질에 대한 분해 능력을 확인하였는데 cellulose 배지는 Klebsiella oxytoca균주 외 7균주, skim-milk배지는 Bacillus toyonensis균주 외 5균주, starch배지는 Bacillus toyonensis균주 외 4균주, lignin배지는 Citrobacter rodentium균주 외 2균주에서 분해 능력을 확인하였다.

Hemocytes are key players in the immune response against pathogens in insects. However, the hemocyte types and their functions in the white-spotted flower chafers, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe), are not known. In this study, we used various microscopes, molecular probes, and flow cytometric analyses to characterize the hemocytes in Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis. we identified the professional phagocytes, granulocytes (GRs), which mediate encapsulation and phagocytosis of pathogens. The GRs were immunologically or morphologically activated and phagocytosed potentially hazardous substances in vivo.

The complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) from the white-spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was determined. The 20,319-bp long circular genome is the longest among the completely sequenced arthropods. This extraordinary length of the genome stemmed from 5,654-bp long A+T-rich region composed of twenty-eight 117-bp tandem repeats, seven 82-bp tandem repeats, and each two 19-bp and 38-bp tandem repeats. The P. brevitarsis contains a typical gene complement, order, and arrangement identical to most common type found in insects. The P. brevitarsis COI gene does not have typical ATN codon. Thus, we also designated it as AAC (asparagine), which is found in the start context of all sequenced Polyphaga within Coleoptera. All tRNAs showed stable canonical clover-leaf structure of other mt tRNAs, except for tRNASer (AGN), DHU arm of which could not form stable stem-loop structure. The 5bp-long motif sequence (TAGTA) that has been suggested to be the possible binding site for the transcription termination peptide for the major-strand also was found betweent RNASer (UCN) and ND1, as have been detected in all sequenced coleopteran insects.

Imago"s flight activities of Protaetia brevitarsis were from mid June to early September, and those of Allomyrina dichotoma were from mid June to late August. These activities were mainly influenced by amount and duration of rain. They were more active when there was small amount and short period of rain in a year. Distribution depth of the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> larvae of P. brevitarsis were not affected to the temperature. But A. dichotoma were sensitively react to the temperature, almost larvae were near the surface when high temperature. The distribution of P. brevitarsis was not affected by humidity, but most of A. dichotoma were near the surface when high humidity. Larvae of P. brevitarsis usually ate their dead individuals. When we supplied as food the pork, chicken, fresh mackerel, bread, apple, and pear. They took all of these food but larvae of A. dichotoma took only bread. Two species were lived in similar environment but those feeding habit was very different.

우리나라에서 한약재로 활용되고 있는 흰점박이꽃무지(Protaetia brevitarsis)와 장수풍뎅이(Allomyrina dichotoma)의 산란과 발육에 관여하는 환경요인을 밝히고자 본 시험을 실시하였다. 부엽토수분함량은 두 종 모두에서 과습이나 과습은 산란을 저하시켰고 산란 시 최적의 수분함량은 로 추정되었다. 부엽토 수분함량은 흰점박이꽃무지와 장수풍뎅이의 알 및 유충의 생존율과 발육기간, 그리고 유충의 섭식활동에 크게 영향을 주는 것으로 이들의 생육에 관여하는 가장 중요한 요인이었다.

초 록 장수풍뎅이(Allomyrina dichotoma(Coleoptera: Dynastidae)) 후장에서 셀룰로오스 분해균을 분리하였다. 분리된 두 세균은 각각 Yersinia와 Bacillus 속으로 동정되었다. 이 두 세균의 셀룰로오스 분해능력은 참나무 톱밥으로 사육되는 흰점박이꽃무지(Protaetia brevitarsis senlensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae))의 성장을 촉진시켰다. 이때 먹이 톱밥에 10% 이상의 밀가루를 첨가할 경우, 흰점박이꽃무지의 발육은 더욱 증진되었다. 한편 동정된 셀룰로오스 분해균을 사과원 전정목 톱밥에 첨가할 경우, 흰점박이꽃무지는 이를 먹이원으로 성장하였다. 이들 굼벵이의 대량사육에 따른 배설물은 높은 유기물 함량과 극소량의 독성 중금속을 함유하여 퇴비로서의 기능을 보유하였다. 이 굼벵이 배설물을 상추 재배지에 투입할 경우 상추발육을 촉진시켰다. 본 연구는 장수풍뎅이 유래 셀룰로오스 분해균을 이용하여 굼벵이 사육을 도모하는 데 일차 응용성을 보여주었으며, 이를 통해 부차적으로 사과원 폐목과 굼벵이 배설물의 자연 순환 모델을 제시하였다.

우리나라에서 약용으로 가장 많이 활용되고 있는 흰점박이꽃무지의 형태와 생육특성에 관하여 조사하였다. 성충은 야외에서 7월 상순 하순부터 출현하였으며 출현빈도가 가장 높은 시기는 8월 상순이었다. 또한 소수의 개체는 성충으로 월동하였다. 유충은 부엽토속에서 서식하며 11월까지는 모두 3령이 되어 월동하였다. 실내에서 암컷 1마리당 평균 152개를 산란하였고, 와 에서 사육한 결과 알, 유충, 번데기 기간은 모두 높은 온도에서 발육기간이 짧았다. 성충수명은 암컷이 수컷보다 길었고, 집단사육 시보다는 개별사육 시 길었고, 높은 온도보다는 낮은 온도에서 길었다.

곤충자원의 대량사육을 위한 병 발생 예방과 해충의 효과적인 방제를 위하여 흰점박이꽃무지 이병충으로부터 곤충병원 사상균을 분리하였다. 전자현미경 관찰 결과 분리균주 KMA-1은 Metharizium속의 전형적인 쇠사슬형의 분생자를 paliside-like masse에 형성하였다. 따라서, 정확한 동정을 위하여 28S rRNA와 ITS염기 서열을 바탕으로 제작한 특이 프라이머쌍을 사용하여 PCR 반응을 수행하였다. 각각의 프라이머쌍을 사용한 PCR반응으로부터 특이 밴드가 검출되었으며 이 증폭 산물들의 염기 서열을 결정, 비교하였다. 분리 균주 KMA-1의 PCR산물인 28S rRNA와 ITS DNA염기서열을 GenBank데이터베이스에 등록된 염기서열 정보와의 상동성을 검색한 결과, 모두 Metarhizium anisopliae와 가장 높은 서열 상동성을 보였다. 이상의 결과로서 본 실험에서 분리 명명된 KMA-1는 M. anisopliae로 동정되었다.

This study aimed to provide information and data for the management of insect breeding farms by identifying the appropriate density when rearing Protaetia brevitarsis larvae. The breeding box of the insects was filled with 2 L of fermented sawdust on a 50 × 35 × 15 cm sheet of plastic, and the density of the treatments was 200, 300 and 400 P. brevitarsis in the first, second, and third larval stages. Each treatment was repeated five times, and the sawdust medium was replaced three times (10 intervals). The experiments were conducted for a total of 30 days from March 1, 2020. Overall, 200 P.brevitarsis in the first, second, and third larval stages reared in the breeding box had a higher average survival rate and lower average mortality rate, thereby contributing to efficient production. In conclusion, this result suggests a way to increase production efficiency through the environmental management of insect breeding farms.

This study was conducted to determine and to standardize the time of emergence of Protaetia brevitarsis adults, through four breeding experiments, including one which selected the dominant individuals of Protaetia brevitarsis. The breeding experiments were divided into two groups with hibernating and non-hibernating Protaetia brevitarsis by placing 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Protaetia brevitarsis in each breeding box (50 cm × 35 cm × 15 cm) filled with 12 L of fermented sawdust. Breeding tests were with four replicates each for 3 months. The test period was classified into four stages: Exp. 1 (Sep 1, 2019 to Nov 30, 2019), Exp. 2 (Dec 1, 2019 to Feb 29, 2020), Exp. 3 (Mar 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020) and Exp. 4 (Jun 1, 2020 to Aug 31, 2020). The survey items included average dead number, average emergence number, average mortality, and average emergence rate. In Exp. 1 and 2, the changes in Protaetia brevitarsis adults were similar. In Tables 1 and 2, the allegorical changes of adult white-spotted flowers were similar. In addition, the average dead number, average emergence number, average mortality, and average emergence rate showed better results in the hibernation state than in both Exp. 1 and 2. Exp. 3 and 4 showed a pattern of change different from the results of Exp. 1 and 2 and these characteristics were superior in the hibernation states compared to the non-hibernation states. In conclusion, this result was found to be most appropriate as a standardization of the emergence time of 200 Protaetia brevitarsis treatments through four breeding experiments in the hibernating state.

This study evaluated the effect of four different feeds on the larval weight and survival rate of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (PBS) over five weeks. Four different types of feed (self-fermentation medium, RM medium, Samsung livestock medium, and bean-curd dregs medium) were given to third-instar larvae of PBS. Weight changes and survival rates of PBS larvae were measured weekly for five weeks. During the experimental period PBS larvae showed the highest growth in Samsung livestock medium, followed by bean-curd dregs medium, RM medium, and self-fermentation medium. Survival rate of PBS larvae were the lowest in bean-curd dregs medium, and then in the Samsung livestock medium. Using the Samsung livestock medium can shorten the delivery period of PBS larvae by approximately 40 days based on the larva shipped on average 75 days. Therefore, this study provides information and data on insect farming techniques useful for insect industrialization.

This study investigated the oviposition characteristics of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis after emergence as adults from the larva collected from three regions in Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeju-do. The laying egg method was identified with zone breeding, and the average and cumulative number of eggs laid were measured once a week for seven weeks. The average number of eggs laid peaked until 4 weeks, and subsequently decreased. The source areas with respect to average number and cumulative number of eggs laid were in the order of Jeju > Chungnam > Gangwon. In conclusion, this result suggests a method for continuously improving management and economic feasibility of insect farming by securing genetic diversity, and raising the most productive breeds to select individuals form regions associated with high numbers of laid eggs.

The present study was investigated the oviposition characteristics of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis with a focus on winter larvae to improve the utilization of insect resources. The average oviposition tendency and average cumulative number of eggs laid during a 7-week period were measured in adults emerging from larvae that had hibernated for 4 months in five farmhouses. The study covered five zones: Gimje, Jangsu, Wanju, Iksan and Yeoju. The average oviposition tendency over a 7-week period showed increased egg laying between 2 to 3 weeks and 5 to 6 weeks. Overall, it was found that the average cumulative number of eggs laid during the 7-week period was initially low and increased proportionally with time. Our results suggest that using adults that have emerged from hibernated larvae is effective in increasing the oviposition rate and utilization of the insect.

We investigated the oviposition characteristics of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, focusing on zone breeding throughout the year in terms of the development and utilization of insect resources. To select Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis individuals laying a large number of eggs, the number of eggs laid for each individual was measured for each individual after emergence as adults from larvae grown at room temperature in five farmhouses. The five study zone included Gongju (Tancheon), Gyeonggi (Himsen), Chungnam (Gyeryong), Taean (Wonbuk), and Siheung (Baekse). The average oviposition tendency during a 12-week period obtained from the five regions was somewhat different; however, there was no remarkable difference in overall tendency. The maximum oviposition in Protaetia brevitarsisseulensis in the five regions occurred between 6 and 7 weeks. Compared toother regions, the average cumulative number of eggs laid during the 12-week period was higher (40%–60%) in Gongju (Tancheon) and Gyeonggi (Himsen). These results indicate that in two regions, zone breeding is selected as a system for increasing the demand for insects.

We aimed to evaluate antithrombotic efficacy of Protaetia brevitarsis extract during 21 days. Rats (SPF rat, weight 240~260 g) were divided into 16 groups (5 rats per group), they were: control group and Protaetia brevitarsis extract groups with dose of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 250, 500, 750, 1,000 mg/kg kg of body weight. Thromboplastin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPPT) as antithrombotic efficacy were tested in this animal experiment (at 7, 14 and 21 days). Overall, the admistration dose of Protaetia brevitarsis extract over 50 mg/kg at 7, 14 and 21 days for PT and over 25 mg/kg at 7, 14 and 21 days for aPPT tented to be longer than that of other groups. In addition, the optimal admistration doses of Protaetia brevitarsis extract to improves antithrombotic efficacy were 75, 100, 200 and 250 mg/kg at 7, 14 and 21 days for PT (p<0.05) and 50 and 100 mg/kg at 7 days, 75 mg/kg at 14 days, or 50, 100, 200 and 250 mg/kg at 21 days for aPPT (p<0.05). It can be concluded that Protaetia brevitarsis extract at optimal levels have antithrombotic efficacy.

본 연구에서는 화장품 신소재 개발을 위해 한의약적 포제법을 적용하여 흰점박이꽃무지 추출물을 제조하 고 포제방법에 따른 항염 및 미백활성을 평가하였다. 모든 실험은 생(生), 1회 초법(炒法), 2회 초법(炒法), 3회 초법(炒法), 증법(蒸法)을 적용한 흰점박이꽃무지를 이용하였다. 각 포제법을 적용한 흰점박이꽃무지의 용매별 (80% 에탄올, 50% 에탄올, 에틸아세테이트, 헥산) 추출물에 대한 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) 라디칼 소거 활성은 각각 85.5, 22.4, 37.0 및 19.4%의 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서 이후의 실험은 항산화 활성 이 가장 큰 80% 에탄올 추출물을 이용하였다. 포제법을 적용한 흰점박이꽃무지 추출물과 포제법을 적용하지 않은 추출물 모두 농도 의존적으로 항산화능을 나타냈으며, 500 μ g/mL 농도에서 포제법을 적용한 3회 초법 및 증법은 superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like 활성이 각각 62.9 및 55.9%를 나타냈다. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)로 염증이 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포에 포제법을 적용한 흰점박이꽃무지 추출물을 처리하였을 때, LPS를 단독으로 처리한 양성 대조군보다 포제법을 적용하지 않은 흰점박이꽃무지 추출물(38.0%), 1회 초법(41.0%), 2회 초법(69.8%), 3회 초법(70.1%), 증법(78.5%) 순으로 염증 매개물질인 NO･ 생성이 유의적으로 감소하였 다. 세포 내 tyrosinase 저해 활성 및 멜라닌 생합성 저해 효과를 확인한 결과, 농도 의존적으로 tyrosinase 저해 활성 및 멜라닌 생성 억제 활성을 나타내었다. 포제하지 않은 흰점박이꽃무지 추출물은 500 μ g/mL 농도에 서 α-MSH만 처리한 대조군과 비교하여 멜라닌 생합성을 90.7% 감소시켰다. 이상의 결과들은 항염이나 미백 활성이 있는 화장품 소재 개발에 포제법을 적용할 수 있음을 시사한