Athalia japonica (Klug, 1815) is a significant insect pest of turnips in Korea. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species isolated in Korea is reported in this study, which is the first attempt to study Korean Athalia species. The circular genome is 15,662 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and an A+T-rich region. Consistent with most members of the genus Athalia, five of the tRNA genes are rearranged from the typical ground pattern of ancestral insect gene order. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the nucleotide sequences of 25 mitochondrial genomes indicate that the Korean A. japonica is a distinct member of the genus Athalia. This study accumulates mitochondrial genome data of A. japonica from various countries, providing useful information on mitochondrial genetic differences across geographical distances in the East Asian region.

Nicrophorus Fabricius, 1775, commonly known as necrophagous beetle, is associated with vertebrate carrion. Up to date, the genus consists of 72 species worldwide. In recent years, various phylogenetic studies explored on the evolution and relationship of the species in the genus. However, morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies produced conflicting results, continuing the problem over whether Nicrophrous quadraticollis is monotypic or not. The present study is to report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of N. quadraticollis that was sequenced in prior to a systematic research of Silphinae. It was 17,747bp in length and comprised 12 protein-coding genes(PCGs), 2 rRNA Genes, 22 tRNA Genes and one non-coding region. The nucleotide composition is 40.9% for A, 36.7% for T, 9.0% for G and 13.4% for C.

The clearwing moth, Synanthedon bicingulata (Staudinger, 1887), is a pest that infests various species of cherry trees. However, genetic information regarding the genus Synanthedon including S. bicingulata, is limited. In this study, we sequenced a complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species. The 16,255 bp of S. bicingulata mitogenome differs from the typical gene arrangement formed in Lepidoptera: trnQ-trnS2-trnM-trnI arrangement between the A+T-rich region and the ND2 junction. Moreover, the genome has untranslated repetitive sequences in the intergenic space between lrRNA and trnV, as well as the CGA start codon in COI and the TTG start codon in ATP8. Similar observations are noted in species belonging to the tribe Synanthedonini within the genus Synanthedon.

차세대 염기서열 분석(Next Generation Sequencing, NGS)은 대량의 병렬 데이터 생산으로 유전체의 염기서열 을 고속으로 분석하는 기술이며, 이 기술은 바이러스 유전체 분석에도 광범위하게 사용되고 있다. 하지만, 바이 러스의 전장 유전체가 100kb를 넘을 경우, 동일한 raw data라도 분석 방법 및 소프트웨어 그리고 매개변수 (parameter)에 따라 유전체의 크기와 구조가 다르게 결정된다. 따라서 유전체가 큰 바이러스 분석 시, 최적화된 NGS 분석 방법을 선택하는 것이 중요하다. 본 연구는 장수풍뎅이 누디바이러스(Oryctes rhinocerous nudivirus, 120kb) 유전체를 기반으로, 다양한 Assembly 소프트웨어(metaviralSPAdes, metaSPAdes, velvet, shovill, Geneious, megahit)를 사용하여, 최적화된 NGS 분석 방법을 고안하였다. Assembly 소프트웨어에 따라 바이러스 유전체 크기와 특징(Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, Insertion&Deletion, repetitive genomic variants)의 차이를 확인하였 다. Assembly 소프트웨어 간의 차이가 있는 염기서열은 Sanger sequencing을 통해 재확인하여, 참조 유전체 (reference sequence)를 구축하였다. 이 참조 유전체를 기반으로 가장 정확한 Assembly 소프트웨어와 parameter를 평가하였다. 본 연구는 분석 방법에 따라 달라지는 유전체의 특성을 이해하고, 바이러스 유전체를 정확하게 구축 하는 분석 파이프라인을 제공할 것으로 기대된다.

Urbanization is a driving force of global biodiversity changes, and species that successfully adapt to city environments can become pests with the assistance of human factors. Here we present the first genomic data of Plecia longiforceps, an invasive pest exhibiting intensive outbreaks in the Seoul Metropolitan Area of Korea. HiFi and Pore-C sequencing data were used to construct a highly continuous genome assembly with a total size of 707 Mb and 8 major pseudochromosomes. Gene annotation using transcriptome data and ab initio predictions revealed significant numbers of genes related to detoxification and heat tolerance. Comparison to the Bibio marci genome showed high levels of synteny with some regions of chromosomal rearrangement. Our data will serve as an essential resource for population and functional genomic studies on dispersal and outbreaks of P. longiforceps, and facilitate research on eco-evolutionary processes of dipterans in urbanizing habitats.

This study focused on the genomic analysis of Anopheles kleini and Anopheles pullus, both vectors of vivax malaria within the Anopheles Hyrcanus group. Using Illumina NovaSeq600 and Oxford Nanopore platforms, we identified 126 and 116 contigs, along with 40,420 and 32,749 genes from An. kleini and An. pullus, respectively. The assembled genome sizes were 282 Mb for An. kleini and 247 Mb for An. pullus, which are within a similar range to the sizes previously estimated by digital PCR (249 Mb and 226 Mb). We are currently also estimating the genome sizes of other Anopheles spp. and manually curating key genes determining vectorial capacity.

Tropilaelaps mercedesae Anderson and Morgan, 2007 (Acari: Laelapidae) is a serious ectoparasite of the brood of several honey bee species. Among the four recognized species of Tropilaelaps, Korean population was renamed as T. mercedesae from T. clareae on the basis of morphological evidences and genetic data. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of T. mercedesae. The 15,119-bp long mitogenome has an identical gene arrangement to that of Chinese sample reported previously. Comparison of two geographic samples showed COII, ND5, ND4, ND6, CytB, and ND1 to have higher number of variable sites than COI, which is often used for population-level study, suggesting these genes to have potential usefulness for population genetic study. The mitogenome sequence of T. mercedesae from Korea could be useful for species identification for geographic samples, trace of the origin of local populations, and illustration of evolutionary distinction among Tropilaelaps species either using part of or whole genome.

한국 귀뚜라미 산업은 최근 큰 성장을 보였으며, 수직농장을 이용한 대량생산과 기술발전으로 사육수와 판매 량이 늘어나는 추세다. 그러나 귀뚜라미 사육시스템은 농가 간의 교류 및 밀집 사육으로 인해 곤충병원체에 의한 전염병에 매우 취약한 구조를 가진다. 사육 곤충의 질병을 이해하는 것이 중요함에도 곤충병원성 미생물에 대한 연구가 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구는 국내 쌍별귀뚜라미 농가에서 발견된 볼보바이러스를 식별하였으며, Gryllus bimaculatus volvovirus (GbVVV-KR)의 게놈 특성을 분석하였다. GbVVV-KR의 전체 게놈 서열은 Sanger 시퀀싱 을 통해 얻어졌으며, 게놈 크기가 2,515개 뉴클레오티드인 원형 단일가닥 DNA 바이러스임을 밝혔다. 단일 핵산 염기 다형현상 분석(Single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP)으로 정지코돈 돌연변이로 인한 ORF3 영역이 다른 귀뚜 라미 volvovirus 들에 비해 큰 변화를 확인하였다. 또한, 전국 11개 농장에서 수집한 귀뚜라미를 대상으로 PCR/qPCR을 실시하여 GbVVV-KR의 감염 정도를 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 GbVVV-KR의 게놈 구조와 유전 적 특성, 계통발생 및 유병률에 대한 귀중한 통찰력을 제공하고 귀뚜라미 바이러스에 대한 이해를 도울 것으로 기대한다.

Chromosomal level of Korean Diadegma fenestrale (Jeju strain, JK-2023a) of genome assembly was achieved through a combined approach utilizing Nanopore long-read sequencing and Illumina NovaSeq short-read sequencing (approximately 217.2× coverage). The assembled genome spans 221.1 Mb, comprises 68 scaffolds, with most of the genome contained within 11 chromosomal level scaffolds. The completeness of the assembly is reflected in BUSCO assessment, with values reaching 99.6%. Scaffold N50 was 17.4 Mb, and GC % was 40%. RNAseq was performed using RNA extracted from larvae, pupae, and adults at various developmental stages (trimmed RNA-Seq data, 11.3 Gb), and a total of 13,544 genes were predicted by synthesizing the transcriptome information with the annotation information of five closely related species such as, Campoletis sonorensis (GCA_013761285.1), Venturia canescens (GCF_019457755.1), and Nasonia vitripennis (GCF_000002325.3, and GCF_009193385.2). Of these, 13,498 genes were identified by BLAST and are being further analyzed. Although the frequency of DfIV genome integration into the host’s 11 chromosomes varies from 0 to 32%, it was confirmed that all 62 DfIV genome fragments were inserted into the Hymenopteran host genome.

Bombyx mandarina (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), the presumed ancestor of the domesticated silkworm B. mori, has long been a subject of study to illustrate the geographic relationships in connection with origin of B. mori. We sequenced 100 mitochondrial genomes of B. mandarina collected from South Korea and Japan and these were combined with public data. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses showed that all individuals collected in South Korea, except one individual from Inje, formed a strong group together with northern China and some individuals of southern China. This group was placed as the sister group to B. mori strains, suggesting that this group could have been served as an immediate progenitor for B. mori. For further robust inference more analysis is underway.

Xenorhabdus와 Photorhabdus 속은 각각 곤충병원성 선충인 Steinernema와 Heterorhabditis에 공생하는 공생세 균이다. 감염성 선충의 유충은 공생세균을 표적 곤충의 혈강에 전달하고, 여기서 세균이 증식하여 숙주 선충의 발달을 돕는다. 이러한 선충과 세균 복합체의 성공적 공생관계는 세균의 이차대사산물을 통한 숙주의 면역억제 에 달려져 있다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 서로 다른 살충력을 보이는 6종의 Xenorhabdus를 확보하고 이러한 차이가 세균의 성장속도와 NRPS (Non ribosomal peptide synthease)에 의해 생성되는 세균의 이차대사산물 발현에 서 기원한다는 것을 확인하였다. 서로 다른 균주들은 콩명나방 (Tenebrio molitor)에 대한 살충력에 차이를 가지고 있었다. 이러한 세균들은 TSB 배지에서는 세균 성장 속도에 차이가 존재하지 않았지만 콩명나방 혈강 내에서는 세균의 성장 속도에 차이가 존재하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 각 세균의 이차대사산물 추출물을 통한 곤충의 면역 억제 실험 결과 PLA2 활성 억제, 세포독성 능력들이 살충력과 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 이차대 사산물의 경우 많은 물질이NRPS (Non ribosomal peptide synthease)에 의해 생성되므로 각 세균 별 NRPS의 유전자 발현을 보았을 때 흥미롭게도 살충력이 더 높은 스트레인의 세균이 일부 NRPS 유전자의 발현이 더 높은 것으로 나타났다. NRPS에 의해 합성되는 물질을 포함한 세균의 이차대사산물의 차이를 서로 비교하기 위하여 이차대사 산물 추출액을 GC-MS/MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 본 연구를 통해 곤충병원세균에 살충력의 기원이 NRPS를 통해 합성되는 이차대사산물에 있다는 것을 확인하였으며 이를 이용한 다양한 NRPS 유래 물질 연구는 신규 살충 물질 개발에 들어가는 비용과 시간을 획기적으로 줄일 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Spodoptera eridania and S. ornithogalli (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which are polyphagous pests that damage various crops such as tomatoes and beans are regulated quarantine species that are highly likely to invade South Korea. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly and accurately identify the presence of S. eridania and S. ornithogalli in crop fields to effectively eradicate as a regulated quarantine species. In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which allows for rapid in-field identification. To develop the LAMP　assay, we selected target species-specific genomic regions from the whole-genome sequences of one target and 13 other lepidopteran species. We validated each five and six primer sets that consistently produced positive reactions in S. eridania and S. ornithogalli, respectively. To test the sensitivity of the each locus, LAMP reactions were performed using various reaction times using crude DNA, which was extracted from various types of adult tissues. All sensitivity tests were also successful.

뒷흰가는줄무늬밤나방은 쌀, 밀, 옥수수와 같은 농작물에 피해를 주는 해충이다. 본 연구에서는 국내 뒷흰가는줄무늬밤나방의 미토콘드리아 게놈(15,314b)을 분석하였다. 13개의PCG와2개의 rRNA (13,376bp)를 연결한 서열을 사용한 계통발생 분석 결과, 뒷흰가는줄무늬밤나방과 멸 강나방 사이의 가장 높은 노드 수치로 자매분류군을 형성하였다. 밤나방상과(Noctuoidea)의 각 과(Noctuidae, Euteliidae, Nolidae, Erebidae 및 Notodontidae)들은 가장 높은 노드수치로 단계통을 형성하였다.

Revolutionary advancements, such as the reduction in DNA sequencing costs and genome editing, have transformed biotechnology, fostering progress in manipulating biomolecules, engineering cells, and computational biology. Agriculture and food production have significantly benefited from tools like high-throughput microarrays, accelerating the selection of desired traits. Genetic engineering, especially utilizing genome editing, facilitates precise alterations in plants and animals, harnessing microbiomes and fostering lab-grown meat production to alleviate environmental pressures. The emergence of new biotechnologies, notably genome editing, underscores the necessity for regulatory frameworks governing LM (living modified) organisms. Global regulations overseeing genetically engineered or genome-edited (GE) organisms, encompassing animals, exhibit considerable diversity. Nonetheless, prevailing international regulatory trends typically exclude genomeedited plants and animals, employing novel biotechnological techniques, from GMO/ LMO classification if they lack foreign genes and originate through natural mutations or traditional breeding programs. This comprehensive review scrutinizes ongoing risk and safety assessment cases, such as genome-edited beef cattle and fish in the USA and Japan. Furthermore, it investigates the limitations of existing regulations related to genome editing in Korea and evaluates newly proposed legislation, offering insights into the future trajectory of regulatory frameworks.

Bacillus velezensis TJS119 was isolated from the freshwater, and antagonistic activity against of pathogenic fungi. Strain TJS119 showed a broad spectrum of antagonistic activities many fungal pathogens, including the green muscardine fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. The whole-genome sequence of B. velzensis TJS119 was analyzed using the illumina platform. The genome comprises a 3,809,913 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 46.43%, 3,834 total genes, 10 rRNA and 73 tRNA genes. The genome contained a total of 8 candidate gene clusters (difficidin, fengycin, bacillaene, macrolactin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, surfactin and butirosin) to synthesize secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Overall, our data will aid future studies of the biocontrol mechanisms of B. velezensis TJS119 and promote its application in insect disease control.

Vespula rufa (Linnaeus, 1758), known as the red wasp, is a social wasp species. We analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of V. rufa from South Korea, for an ongoing systematic study of the Korean Vespidae. This species is distributed in northern parts of North America, northern and central Europe, and parts of Asia. It can be distinguished from other species of the genus by usually having reddish brown areas on the 1st and 2nd tergites. The mitogenome is 17,663 bp in length, includes 13 protein-coding genes, 24 transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes. The nucleotide composition is 40.5% adenines, 43.00% thymines, 6.1% guanines, and 10.4 % cytosines.

The insect industry in Korea is currently undergoing steady expansion. Among the various insects kept as pets or for educational purposes, four mantis species, including Hierodula patellifera (Audinet-Serville), Tenodera sinensis Saussure, Tenodera angustipennis Saussure, and Statilia maculata (Thunberg), are becoming increasingly popular, leading to higher demand. As we aimed to raise mantises, we collected oothecae, some of which were found to be parasitized by dermestid beetles. These parasitoids have been unequivocally identified as Thaumaglossa rufocapillata Redtenbacher based on morphological characters. A diagnosis, habitus photographs, and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided to facilitate identification. We also present the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of T. rufocapillata for providing fundamental data for research aimed at controlling pests in the insect industry.

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.

Ceriagrion nipponicum (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) is listed as climate-sensitive indicator species in Korea and now expands its range northward. In this study, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species collected from South Korea for comparatively analysis in damselflies and to detect the genes suitable for subsequent population genetic study. Comparison of the mitogenomes from two geographic samples of C. nipponicum showed the highest variation in ND4 and ND1, whereas no variation was detected in COI, warranting usefulness of the two genes for subsequent population-level study. Phylogenetic analysis using 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs in Zygoptera showed non-monophyletic Coenagrionidae, forming two groups.