The chigger mite, Leptotrombidium pallidum, is widely distributed throughout South Korea and is a major vector for Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus. In this study, the genome size of the chigger mite was estimated to determine the necessary coverage level prior to whole genome sequencing. Cloning of EF1α and RpS3 as putative single copy reference genes were conducted and their partial sequences were determined. Using the serially diluted reference genes with known amount as standard templates, the weight of a single copy of the genome was predicted by a method based on quantitative real time PCR. The average genome length estimated from the weight using two methods was 191 ± 7 Mb. When the genome size of other arthropods (Drosophila melanogster, Apis mellifera and Tetranychus urticae), with their genome analysis completed, were estimated using the same method and compared with actual values, the estimation accuracy was 79.8-98.9%, suggesting our current estimation of L. pallidum genome size is reliable. The estimated L. pallidum genome size is in a similar range to other Acariform mites, such as the dust mite and scabie mite, but appoximately 10-fold smaller compared to the deer tick, which belongs to Parasitiform. Our finding provides key information for further genome sequencing and understanding of mite genome evolution.

For the investigation of the stability of purified bee venom(PBV) during the treatment in the temperature range of 50℃ to 120℃ for 24 hours, respectively, melittin contents, antibacterial effects, and cell regenerations were investigated. The changes in the melittin contents of PBV were not significantly different by treatment temperature below 70℃ for 24 houes and 80℃ for 4 hours. However the melttin contents is great decline after 24 hours above 80℃ for 24 hours. Antibacterial effects is not change below 80℃ for 4 houes but significantly decrease above 80℃ for 24 hours. Cell regenerations of PBV on human dermal fibroblast decreased at 80℃ for 24 houes, showing a significant difference from the below 80℃ for 4 houes. Through the temperature stability of PBV results of this study, it was treated that the melittin contents, antibacterial effects and cell regeneration effects of PBV could be maintained above 80℃ for 4 hours.

Propolis, bee glue is a sticky substances, which is used to prevent corruption of the ones who broke into the hive, and which is known as a substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms within the hive. In order to use this propolis, is required to extract the active ingredients from the raw propolis. Mainly goes through the process of extraction with ethanol. Propolis is registered as health functional food for food and drug safety with a valid registration which is anti-oxidant effects and anti microbial effects of oralflora. Inthis study, in order to determine the antioxidant effect of propolis produced in various regions collected 58 regions. Antioxidant effects were tested by DPPH free radical scavenging effects method. Asa result, the propolis concentrations by 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000㎍ were 43, 73, 78, 82, and 73%, in Gangwon province, Gyeonggi Province, 57, 83, 83, 79, and 71%, Chungcheong Province, 55, 80, 80, 76, and 68%, Jeolla province 48, 75, 78, 78, and 71%, Gyeongsang province 47, 77, 81, 79, and 71%, respectively. More than a certain concentration was to determine antioxidant falling rather. These results can be said to suggest if you use the edible excess should be avoided.

Royal jelly (RJ) is one of the most attractive functional foods that have been a commercial product, especially in dietetics and cosmetics in many countries. However, RJ has been evoked with dermatitis, acute asthma and anaphylaxis because of major RJ proteins. Therefore, to access water soluble royal jelly (WSRJ) that removed allergy-induced proteins as an effective whitening agent for cosmetics and potential external treatment for topical use, we investigated its ability to inhibit melanin biosynthesis. B16F1 cells were treated with 10 nM α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α -MSH) for 48hr, and then were treated with various doses of WSRJ for 36hr. WSRJ (1-10ug/ml) inhibited direct tyrosinase activity and cellular tyrosinase activity, which lead to the decrease of melanin synthesis in α-MSH stimulated B16F1 melanoma cells. In addition, we examined RT-PCR and Western blotting for melanogenesis-related genes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP-1) and 2. WSRJ suppressed mRNA and protein expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 in α-MSH stimulated B16F1 cells, and similar to positive control, arbutin. Our findings suggest that WSRJ induced the downregulation of melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase, TRP-1 and 2 activations. It may serve as a new candidate in the new skin-whitening agents.

Royal jelly (RJ) is exclusive food that is secreted from the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of worker honeybees, and it is well known to be a necessary for the growth of the queen honeybee Although fresh royal jelly have been demonstrated to enhance wound healing, the wound healing effects of water soluble royal jelly (WSRJ) have not been elucidated. We investigated whether WSRJ promotes the migration, attachment, and proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) during in vitro wound healing. HDFs were treated with 1-5ug/ml WSRJ and RJ for up to 24hr following wound formation. Cell migration was assessed by measuring recovery from wound margin, while cell attachment and proliferation were determined by MTT assay. By observing the numbers of cell attached, we confirmed that not only WSRJ but also RJ did not affect on the initial cell adhesion. WSRJ (5 ug/ml) enhanced cell migration rate approximately 84.3% in HDFs at 24hr, whereas RJ (5 ug/ml) increased cell migration rate 71.3% in HDFs at 24hr, which is similar to cell migration rate of WSRJ 1 ug/ml (73.7%). In cell proliferation assays, WSRJ induced an increase in the number of HDFs, compared with control and RJ. In conclusion, WSRJ promotes cell migration with increased cell proliferation in an in vitro wound healing model.

About 70% of total honey products produced by Korean bee keepers was acacia honey. The remaining 30% was chestnut honey, jujube honey, snowbell honey, and another honey. False acacia, went down in payability since the middle 2000s because of simultaneous blooming etiolation chlorsis decreases productivity after aging. Therefore, substitution honey plants were necessary. This study estimated nectar secretion amount of each flower and productivity per ha at 14 medical herbs. Each flower, Codonopsis lanceloata, estimated a majority nectar secretion amount at 176.08 ul for each of the 14 medical herbs. Astragalus membranaceus estimated majority nectar secretion amount at 1273.3 L per ha for each of the 14 medical herbs. Medical herbs were hypothesized with valuable honey plants.

Jujube trees, herbal medicine material, produce not only their fruit but also jujube honey for bee and human’ food sources. Although jujube is an important honey plant after acacia bloom, the research was done with 15-year-old jujube trees grown in ChungDo-Gun, which there was no information on jujube floral nectar. According to the research, jujube nectar secretion mostly happens during dawn and morning for two days. The average number of inflorescence per tree is 638.1 according to the research. And also, the average number of flowers per inflorescence is 64.4. The amount of nectar secretion is 11.6 ul on average per flower, and hypothesized nectar secretion from 15-year-old tree per tree is 476.682 ul. Also,a jujube tree has 545.5ul hypothesized nectar secretion per ha by the research.

This study was conducted to establish the optimized protocol for cytoplasm isolation of bee pollen. Data of biochemical parameters and amino acid profiles were obtained from acorn pollen grains treated with pulverization or lyophilization. Contents of moisture, ash, crude protein and crude fat of acorn pollen were 11.7%, 2.6%, 24.1% and 11.8%, respectively. After pulverizing, content of crude protein was decreased to 23.8% while crude fat was 22.5% which means 90% increase. Also content of crude protein was increased to 26.5% in case of the lyophilized pollen. Amino acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, leucine and arginine were extensively found in acorn pollen while histidine, methionine and cystine were infrequent. The pulverized pollen was increased by 2.6% in the total amino acid percentage while the lyophilized pollen increased by 11.8% compared to the untreated pollen.

Most Korean beekeepers have moved from south to north of Korea to collect nectar from black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) flowers for 2 months. This provided a valuable opportunity to sample bees originating from diverse areas in one location. We initiated a survey of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies on the blooming period of Acacia to determine the prevalence of Nosema apis and black queen cell virus (BQCV) in 2013. Nosema causes significant losses in population size of honeybees. Sixteenth hives were sampled for this study. Bees were collected on the 4th and 13th of May, 2013. Nosema spore counts ranged from zero to 1,948,333 spores per bee. The average number of nosema spores per bee was calculated to be 450,000. Approximately 94% of the apiaries examined were infected with nosema, based on the presence of spores in the flowering period of Acacia. Also nosema is thought to be associated with black queen cell virus. RT-PCR analysis shows that BQCV infection rate was 100%. This indicates that nosema and BQCV is the predominant species affecting honeybee colonies.

Virus infections of the honeybee(Apis mellifera) have been increasingly investigated during the last decade. In general, honeybee viruses are widespread and most of them persist as inapparent infections. We screened honeybee colonies for the presence of several bee viruses, including deformed wing virus(DWV), black queen virus(BQCV), Kashmir bee virus(KBV), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), sacbrood virus(SBV), acute bee paralysis virus(ABPV), using uniplex RT-PCR. Frequently simultaneous infections with different viruses are diagnosed in seemingly healthy bee colonies. Therefore we developed a multiplex RT-PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of multiple bee viruses.

Chungbuk province has number of management honey bee(Apis cerana) colonies. A. cerana produce honey, and are pollinators with in agricultural crops and natural environmental ecosystems. Korean Sacbrood Virus(SBV) causes colony collapses of A. cerana Feb. in Korean apiaries from 2009 years. It causes a fatal disease(sacbrood) of honeybee larvae, which fail to pupate, change color and shape, and finally die. We thus conducted a molecular survey of honey bee RNA viruses, Nosema microsporidia, Foul broods and fungal disease(Chalk brood and Stone brood) associated with environmental conditions in apiaries and differential type(Traditional and Modern) of A. cerana hives in Chungbuk province. We found the presence of Israel Acute Paralysis Virus(IAPV), Nosema apis, and Sacbrood virus(SBV) was detected in the tested samples. IAPV were detected from mordern hive. Nosema apis, and Sacbrood virus(SBV) was detected from traditional hives. Our results demonstrate that honey bee RNA viruse(SBV) and N. apis are present in Traditional hives. It can suggest SBV and other disease might be related environment conditions(Type of hives).

This is the first record of endoparasitic Hymenoptera Apanteles galleriae recorded from Apis cerana colonies in Korea. A simple rearing protocol was established to allow the morphology, mating behavior and infestation rate of A galleriae. In total, 55 lesser wax moth fresh cocoons were kept in the tissue culture test plate at room temperature (25.6 ± 1.5˚C, RH 21 ± 3.7%). The females were 3.4 ± 0.3 longer than male 3.3 ± 0.2. The male antenna was longer than females. The copulation lasts 24.4 ± 2.4 seconds. The larvae of A. galleriae were pupated inside the cocoons of lesser wax moth. Ninety percent of adults A. galleriae was successfully emerged from the lesser wax moth cocoons. A. galleriae can be used as bio-logical control in store and in live colonies to control lesser wax moth.

We investigated the duration of laying worker oviposition and egg-laying behavior in three queenless colonies of A. cerana by in situ video recording. Egg load was determined by dissecting laying workers in September 2012. Egg size, length and breadth, shape index and egg elongation were calculated. To determine the number of eggs laid by laying workers per cell at 24, 53, 74, 120 and 171 hours was also monitored. To estimate the number of eggs per cell per week, a small comb was squeezed between two frames. The combs were collected at given hours and weekly to count the number of eggs, respectively. The results showed that the duration of oviposition of laying workers on average was 109.2 ± 67.5 seconds per cell. During oviposition, egg-laying workers showed two types of behaviors, viz; a still phase, where the egg-laying workers did not move, and a recovery phase, where the egg-laying workers vigorously wagged their abdomens after oviposition. The results showed that on average, 4.0 ± 5.1 of worker eggs per cell per week was recorded. The highest number of eggs was recorded at 120 hours compare to at 24, 53, 74 and 171 hours. Three different shapes of the eggs namely oval, elongated long and elongated curve shaped was laid by workers. The results showed that the laying worker carried 1 to 4 mature eggs in her ovaries and may lay from one to four per oviposition. In conclusion, the laying worker shows a still and a recovery phase during and after laying the eggs. The laying workers retain 1 to 4 eggs in their ovaries. The breadth of eggs is strong positive relationships with length. One worker cell can accumulate up to 33 eggs in queenless colonies.

Ovarioles are smooth, gradually widening white tubes with different stages of eggs. The ovarioles were gently removed, and the right and left ovarioles were separated and counted the ovarioles. We observed that the ovaries of laying queens were extended from second abdominal up to fourth abdominal segments. Each ovariole is supplied with tracheae. The tracheae are auriferous types characterized by coating spiracle tubules with permeable cuticle, which may bring the tracheal air into close contact with haemolymph.

RNA interference(RNAi) is the method which controls phenotypes of gene in live cells. Chitinase is the enzyme helping digestion and absorption of old cuticles during the ecdysis of insects. In order to investigate molting-inhibition effect with the chitinase related gene in Spodoptera litura, RNA was extracted from the 5th instars. cDNA was synthesized and then we obtained about 645bp size chitinase. After PCR products were cloned into a pGEM T-easy vector, colonies were picked. DNA was extracted from the colony cultures. EcoR I enzyme was used to check whether PCR products were inserted or not. To synthesize the dsRNA, each DNA was cut with Spe I and Nco I enzymes. After synthesis, of dsRNA, approximately 5ul dsRNA was injected into the 3rd abdominal segment of S. litura 4th larvae. We confirmed insects that were phenotypically abnormal - for instance molting inhibition, change of integument color, malformation.

As a part of disease vector and possible overseas inflow caused by global warming monitoring around airport and port area, the distribution of domestic mosquitoes was investigated using BG-sentinel trap. Mosquitoes were collected during 5-days per each area in early September, using 10 traps in Cheongju (airport) and 15 traps in Pyeongtaek (port). The numbers of mosquitoes collected in Cheongju and Pyeongtaek area were 1,762 including 10 species and 1,042 including 11 species respectively. In Cheongju, Aedes albopictus (657 individuals, 37.3%) and Culex pipiens complex (415 individuals, 23.6%) were dominant species; while in Pyeongtaek, Cx. pipiens complex (806 individuals, 77.4%) was dominant followed by Anopheles spp. (90 individuals, 8.6%) and Ochlerotatus koreicus (79 individuals, 7.6%). Similar species were collected in both Choengju and Pyeongtaek area. Although most species collected in both Cheongju and Pyeongtaek area were the same, Cx. inatomii was only collected in Pyeongtaek. In case of the Genus Aedes, more number of Ae. albopictus was collected compared to Oc. koreicus in Cheongju; while Oc. koreicus was more in Pyeongtaek. In case of the genus Culex, the individuals belonging to the vishinui group were collected such as Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. orientalis. This study may provide basic information for efficient prevention of vector mosquito and potential overseas inflow of diseases, also we would try to expand different area in Korea.

We are currently developing the smart mosquito counter device (height 1080mm × width 560mm × diameter 320mm, 220V 60Hz 30W), which can attract the blood sucking female mosquitoes by emitting CO2 gas (300ml/min), can count the number of the captured mosquitoes by an infra-red beam area sensor, and can send the captured mosquitoes’ number through the CDMA module at real time. We operated the 8 – 16 devices with mosquito sensor networks and a server at the Youngdeungpo-gu areas in Seoul city of south Korea for three years (2011-2013) and we could efficiently control mosquitoes at the high mosquito density area based on the mosquito sensor’s data. We found that the accuracy of the device was about over 93% compared the real mosquito data and transmitted data by CDMA. We also found the water reservoir areas to control floods in Seoul metro city had relatively higher mosquito density than other normal areas, because those flat water areas were preferred by mosquitoes. Because our pest control office knew the mosquito occurrence peak times and areas from mosquito data transmitted by the mosquito sensor devices, we efficiently controlled mosquito larva and adults at the right time. We could accomplish very systematic mosquito control policy and we had the high credibility with the results. Based on the mosquito occurrence data, we selectively and scientifically controlled mosquitoes. Therefore, we reduced pesticide usage and saved annually pesticide expenses up to 2/3. Conclusively, if there is no mosquito, we don’t have to control mosquitoes.

A surveillance of chigger mites was conducted to clarify the incidence of scrub typhus vectors by new chigger mite collecting traps instead of trapping wild rodents for surveillance from each 4 collection points of 5 regions from September to November 2012 in Korea. During the surveillance period, 2,829 chiggers were collected and 10 species of 4 genera were identified. The first appearance of chigger mite and patients was 39 week (9.19~9.25) and the density of chigger mites had the peak in 43 week (10.17~10.23) and the density of patients had the peak in 44 week (10.24~10.30), respectively. In Goryeong-gun, a total of 1,797 mites representing 4 genera and 6 species were collected and the predominant species were Leptotrombidium scutellare (86.0%), L. pallidum (6.5%) and L. palpale (4.7%) whereas, In Gurye-gun, a total of 89 mites representing 2 genera and 3 species were collected and the predominant species were L. scutellare (46.5%) and L. palpale (36.2%) in similar to the natural environment. The high collecting rates were recorded at rice field (71.8%) and waterway (11.6%). This result shows that the surveillance of scrub typhus vectors by new chigger mite collecting trap is useful as an eco-friendly method.

Macroinvertebrates were examined to elucidate community structures of a total of 5 rice paddy types, Korea. A total of 67 species were found in the study sites. Generally, macroinvertebrates were dominated by Pomacea canaliculata. Limnodrilus gotoi, Ephydridae sp. in organic rice field. Also, aquatic insects were dominated by Diptera, which constituted 25% (17 species) of the total number of species collected. The diversity of macroinvertebrate in several organic rice paddies was higher than that of conventional rice field. The organic rice paddy and nonpesticide agricultural area were also diverse. Samplings were used to detect the influence of farming activities on macroinvertebrate community variation. The study indicated that studied sites showed difference in their macroinvertebrate composition, and these differences are strongly related to differences in habitat quality and microhabitats.

Anoplophora isa moderate-sized genus with 36 species of woodboring cerambycid beetles that occur throughout Asia, with the highest diversity in the tropical and subtropical region. Two species, A. chinensis (Forster) and A. glabripennis (Motchulsky) are known in the Korean peninsula. The latter is an infamous invasive species, commonly called the Asian longhorned beetle, in the U.S. causing economic damage on hard woods. For the present study, we carried out field surveys from 2010 to 2013 and literature review on the host plants of Korean Anoplophora species. A. chinensis is associated with 14 host plant species in 4 families and A. glabripennis 17 species of 11 families. Most importantly, the Manchurian striped maple, Acer tegmentosum Maxim. (Aceraceae), is newly recognized as a host of the Asian longhorned beetle. In the present study, a revised host plant checklist of Korean Anoplophora species is provided, with correction of scientific and Korean names of the host plants.