Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) (SHB) is an invasive species to most northern hemisphere countries, including Korea. In an attempt to obtain basic information for efficient management of SHB, genes encoding conventional insecticide targets [voltage-sensitive sodium channel α-subunit (VSSC) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] were annotated and characterized following the analysis of whole transcriptomes of adults and larvae. A single VSSC gene was identified but no apparent mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance were detected. Genes encoding two AChEs (AtAChE1 and AtAChE2) were identified from the SHB transcriptome. AtAChE1 was determined to be the main catalytic enzyme, thereby being a toxicologically more relevant target. No apparent mutations associated with resistance to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides was identified in the AtAChE1 gene, whereas the S238G mutation, originally identified from the Colorado potato beetle, was detected in the AtAChE2 gene.

• Si Hyeock Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Yun Sang Cho(Department of Animal and Plant health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
• Sang Hyeon Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Kyungmun Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)