Milichiidae Schiner, 1862 is a small family of Diptera, with 19 genera and 360 described species worldwide. In Korea, only two species in a single genus, Aldrichiomyza Hendel, 1914, have been recorded. Milichiid species, small-sized acalyptrate flies, are generally associated with decaying plants and animals. In particular, Desmometopa Loew, 1866 in the family has a commensalistic habit, more precisely the phoretic relationship, that has been observed with predacious insects and spiders, in which adults feed on the juices of the prey. In this study, we recognized Desmometopa microps Lamb, 1914 for the first time in the Korean Peninsula. This is also the first record of the genus from the country. Herein, we provide diagnosis of D. microps based on the Korean specimens with images.

Curtonotidae, known as the quasimodo flies, in Diptera currently includes about 100 described species in five genera (Axinota Wulp, 1886; Curtonotum Macquart, 1844; Cyrtona Séguy, 1938; Depressonotum Grimaldi & Kirk-Spriggs, 2012; Tigrisomyia Kirk-Spriggs, 2010) worldwide. Curtonotid species have great potential as case studies for biological diversity, evolution, and zoogeography based on wide distribution and sufficient diversity. In the present study, Curtonotum maritimum Ozerov, 2007 is newly added to Korean insect fauna. This is also the first record of Curtonotidae from the country. We here provide morphological diagnosis and images including genitalic structures for accurate identification.

The genus Acymatopus Takagi is reported for the first time from Korean fauna along with two nominate species, A. minor Takagi, 1965 and A. takeishii Masunaga, Saigusa & Yang, 2005. This genus belonging to the subfamily Hydrophorinae in the family Dolichopodidae, is comprised of only six species in the world and distributed only in Japan and China yet. Both adults and larvae of this genus are known to be found on rugged and rocky marine shores of the tidal zone. The authors found the first recorded species in the west seaside of Korea, where many barnacles are inhabited. The descriptions and illustrations of external features including male genitalia of newly recorded species are provided here.

The genus Kurahashiodes is a monotypic genus that only recorded in Japan with Kurahashiodes suenagai. This species was first known by Wohlfahrtiodes suenagai in 1994, but reorganized with the new genus Kurahashiodes by Verves in 2001. Kurahashiodes was close to genus Wohlfahrtia but can be distinguished by R1 haired, surstylus narrow, phallus without ventral protuberance. This genus is reported for the first time in Korean fauna. The diagnosis and photographs of the Kurahashiodes suenagai are provided herein.

The genus Icerya Signoret, 1876 has 38 species distributed in the world, and some are known to cause damage to valuable crops. The Seychelles scale, Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Monophlebidae) was found on Cycas revoluta located in the province of Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island, South Korea. This species is highly polyphagous and has been reported to attack host plants of 136 genera, it is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In South Korea, the species was presently considered a quarantine pest and it seems that control is needed. In this study, I. seychellarum is recorded for the first time in South Korea, we provide information on the distribution, host plants, and description of this species.

A survey of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) was carried out in medicinal crop cultivated fields from July to August in 2023. Three-leaf ladybell, Adenophora triphylla var. japonica is a highly valued medicinal plant that is used to treat or prevent bronchitis, cough, cancer, and obesity in Korea. A. triphylla plants with small root-galls were observed in a field of Yeongju Agricultural Technology Center, which were identified as a root-knot nematode. Additional morphological and molecular analyses studies were performed and identified as Meloidogyne hapla, Northern root-knot nematode. Population densities of M. hapla ranged from 20~30 nematodes per 100 cm3 of soil. M. hapla was detected at lower densities in soil compared to other infected host crops, but there are concerns about damage to M. hapla since A. triphylla is cultivated for more than two years once planted. Our results indicate that A. triphylla roots damage by M. hapla were identifed, it is necessary to prepare control methods such as registration of applicable nematicides and crop rotation.

The genus Daiconotrechus Ueno, 1971 is endemic genus of Japan with two subgenera, Daiconotrechus Ueno, 1971 and Tsuiblemus Ueno, 2007. Adults of all species in this genus are eyeless with depigmented and elongated body. These morphological features are typical characters of adaptation to subterranean environments. Distribution of all species of the subgenus Tsuiblemus is restricts to Tsushima Island, Japan. In this study, we report the genus Daiconotrechus for the first time in Korea, with a new species in the subgenus Tsuiblemus. Illustrations of morphological characters and habitus are also provided.

The genus Brachydeutera Loew, 1862 is a small group of acalyptratae flies belonging to the subfamily Ephydrinae in the family Ephydridae. Up to now, 16 described species have been recorded worldwide, and although it occurs in all fauna regions, it is most diverse in the subtropics and tropics, particularly in Africa and Asia. This genus is recorded for the first time in the Korean fauna based on the discovery of a nominated species, Brachydeutera meridionalis (Rondani, 1856). Diagnoses, figures of morphological features, and an ecological photograph of the firstly recorded species are provided herein.

Opostegidae is a microlepidopteran family (Lepidoptera: Nepticuloidea) that includes almost 190 species belonging to eight genera worldwide. Since Shin recorded Opostegoides Kozlov in Korea, only two species of the genus have been recorded in Korea among the family. We found the genus Pseudopostega Kozlov, 1988 from Gangwon-do Jeongseon. This study reports the genus Pseudopostega Kozlov, 1985, for the first time. Illustrations of adult and genitalisa are also provided.

The small-sized water strider genus Rhagadotarsus Breddin is known to be widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In a recent survey, we found Rhagadotarsus kraepelini Breddin from Gyeongsangbuk province. This species is known to non-native species in Japan. We provide descriptions and photographs of the external morphology of R. kraepelini. And a key to genera of Korean Gerridae is also provided to facilitate identification.

This study investigated how student-centered learning affects first-year college students’ perceptions of and construction of investment in English learning. After finishing two reading assignments using a student-centered approach, 50 students completed open-ended written surveys, and 15 students participated in open-ended interviews. Thematic analysis of the data, which consisted primarily of the translated interview transcripts and secondarily of the survey responses, showed that initially the students recognized the importance of learning English but had ambivalent attitudes towards the language. However, after completing the student-centered reading assignments, they expressed self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and a will to learn, which helped them to concretely construct their investment in English learning. These findings indicate the positive impact of student-centered learning on students’ perceptions of English and their construction of investment in learning the language, highlighting its importance in helping students, particularly as an alternative to exam-driven instructional approaches common in Korea’s environment of English fever and similar contexts.

The bitterling (Cyprinidae, Acheilongnathinae) is a temperate freshwater fish with a unique spawning symbiosis with host mussels. Female bitterlings use their extended ovipositors to lay eggs on the gills of mussels through the mussel's exhalant siphon. In the present study, in April of 2020, we investigated spawning frequencies and patterns of three bitterling fish species in host mussel species in the Nakdong River basin (Hoecheon). During field surveys, a total of four bitterling and three mussel species were found. We observed bitterling's spawning eggs/larvae in the three mussel species: Anodonta arcaeformis (proportion spawned: 45.5%), Corbicula fluminea (12.1%), and Nodularia douglasiae (45.2%). The number of bitterlings’ eggs/larvae per mussel ranged from 1 to 58. Using our developed genetic markers, we identified the eggs/ larvae of each bitterling species in each mussel species (except for A. macropterus): A. arcaeformis (spawned by Acheilognathus yamatsutae), C. fluminea (A. yamatsutae and Tanakia latimarginata), and N. douglasiae (A. yamatsutae, Rhodeus uyekii, and T. latimarginata). Approximately 57.6% of N. douglasiae mussel individuals had eggs/ larvae of more than one bitterling species, suggesting that interspecific competition for occupying spawning grounds is intense. This is the first report on bitterling’s spawning events in the Asian clam C. fluminea from Korea; however, it should be ascertained whether bitterling’s embryo undergoes successful development inside the small mussel and leaves as a free-swimming juvenile. In addition, the importance of its conservation as a new host mussel species for bitterling fishes needs to be studied further.

This study examines the textual structure and speech acts within the inaugural addresses of the ministers in the Yoon Suk Yeol Government’s first cabinet. These addresses typically follow a three-part structure: introduction, development, and closing. The introduction features an opening greeting, while the development stage outlines the main service and missions, and presents requests to organizational members. The closing stage concludes the address. The introduction and closing are often simple enumerations of contents, whereas the development stage is logically and coherently structured. In terms of speech acts, the introductory stage predominantly features expressive acts. The development stage is marked by announcements and requests, while the closing e ncompasses various acts including statements, promises, and solicitations.

In this review, we examine the latest technological developments in the utilization of truffles, a gourmet ingredient reputed to be one of the "world's three greatest delicacies," considering changing global consumption trends. Global demand for truffles is expected to increase steadily, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2023 to 2030. As truffles are expensive, the demand for truffles is expected to be concentrated in developed countries such as the United States, European countries, and Japan. In Korea, truffles are utilized in various industries, including food, functional foods, and cosmetics. Korean consumer demand for truffles has consistently remained high since 2019, and truffle products have been performing well in the market. Consequently, there exists substantial potential demand for newly developed truffle-related products and technologies. This review aims to provide objective research information through the systematic analysis of patent applications in Korea and internationally, focusing on technologies involving truffles, and can aid in setting directions for research and development.