The periodic occurrence of biological population is affected by several biological and environmental factors and ancient literature survey offers insight into ecological process related to the cyclicity. The periodic occurrence of a Lepidopteran species, the pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus spectabilis), was estimated based on ancient literature survey. The pine caterpillar was one of the most injurious defoliators of pine trees in northeast Asia, especially Korea during 1960s and 1970s. Outbreaks of this species have long history in Korea. Since about 900 years ago, damages of pine forest by this species and its control were recorded both in History of Corea dynasty which cover 475 years (918-1392) of the history of the Corea Dynasty and in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty (Joseon Wangjo Shillok) which cover 472 years (1392-1863) of the history of the Joseon Dynasty, respectively. At least over 20 and 30 occurrences of pine caterpillar were recorded during Corea dynasty and Joseon Dynasty, respectively. These results showed that the pine caterpillar had been one of the most severe forest pests during Corea and Joseon Dynasty. Our result showed that the ancient literature survey is useful to understand the long-term periodic occurrence of the pine caterpillar.

• Won Il Choi(Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, National Institute of Forest Science)
• Yu Jin Shin(Division of Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, National Institute of Forest Science)
• Young-Seuk Park(Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University)