Melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a worldwide polyphagous pest. The management of this pest have mainly relied on chemical agents. However, the overuse is harmful to the environment and results in insects resistance. Therefore, alternative eco-friendly control methods that have different mode of action, such as biological control, are necessary to overcome the current issue. In this study, we isolated entomopathogenic fungi from Korean soil, and characterized them via morphological and molecular techniques and pathogenicity assay against Tenebrio molitor larvae. The isolated fungi were screened for virulence against T. palmi under laboratory conditions and the results were used to establish a thrips-pathogenic fungal library. The highly virulent isolates were selected and further characterized for optimum culture conditions and application as biopesticide in the field.

The global biopesticide market was estimated to become about 4% of the total crop protection market in 2015, mainly due to variability of their efficacy, narrow spectrum or difficulties in long-term storage. Therefore, many people focus on overcoming these issues as a big trend. Suggested solutions include the investigation of synergy between microorganisms, the use of genetic engineering, improving the pesticide life shelf, etc. As a result, biopesticides market has grown by more than 17% over the last decade. In this context and aiming to develop new entomopathogenic fungi–based pest management tools, we constructed a fungal library by isolating insect pathogenic fungi from soil. A total of 581 isolates belonging to 35 species were isolated and characterized. Beauveria bassiana was the most abundant, representing 38.55% of the total strains, followed by Metharizium anisopliae (22.55%) and bubillosa (8.6). …% of the total isolates were highly virulent against Tenebrio molitor killing most of the treated insects in 2 to 3 days.

Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus, is the main pest that mediates pine wilt nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, that causes serious damage to pine forests. In this study, we studied the strategy to control M. alternatus using entomopathogenic fungi. The fungi were collected from soil by an insect-baiting method and two fungal isolates (Metarhizium anisopliae JEF-197 and JEF-279) showed high virulence against M. alternatus. The Metarhizium isolates were evaluated for insecticidal activity against M. alternatus by spray treatment on live pine trees and wintering trees, and the M. anisopliae JEF-197 showed high insecticidal activity. In addition, the interaction of fungi and M. alternatus were analyzed by RNA-seq. This result can contribute to the development of insect control agents using entomopathogenic fungi.

국화를 가해하는 총채벌레류로 꽃노랑총채벌레, 대만총채벌레, 미나리총채벌레, 파총채벌레, 오이총채벌레, 고사 리그물총채벌레(Hercinothrips femoralis)가 보고되었다. 특히 꽃노랑총채벌레는 토마토반점위조바이러스(TSWV)와 국화줄기괴저바이러스(CSNV)를 매개, 확산시켜 국화 품질저하, 생산성 감소의 주요 원인 중 하나이다. 한편 고사리그 물총채벌레는 국화과, 장미과, 백합과, 사초과, 앵초과, 협죽도과, 후추과, 두릅나무과, 쐐기풀과, 천남성과, 꿀풀과, 선인장과 등 여러 식물을 가해하는 하는 것으로 국외에서는 이미 보고되었으나 국내에서는 아직 연구되고 있지 않다. 2018년 전북 완주군 이서면 국립원예특작과학원의 국화 시험온실(무농약)에서 꽃노랑총채벌레와 고사리그물총 채벌레가 발견되었다. 해충이 없는 국화에 꽃노랑총채벌레와 고사리그물총채벌레를 각각 정착시켜 피해 증상을 비교한 결과, 2종의 총채벌레가 가해한 국화 잎에서 각각 다른 피해 양상이 나타났다.

뽕나무깍지벌레는 복숭아, 매실, 뽕나무 등 31종의 기주식물을 가해하는 기주범위가 광범위한 난방제 해충으로 알려져 있다. 2017년도에 뽕나무깍지벌레는 5월 상순부터 부화를 시작하여 암컷성충 1마리가 75.5개(47~159개)의 알을 낳으며 모든 알이 부화하는데 약 19일이 소요되었고, 부화율은 약 87%였다. 반면에 2018년도에는 4월 하순부터 부화를 시작하여 암컷성충 1마리가 49.4개(12~71개)의 알을 낳으며 모든 알이 부화하는데 13일이 소요되었으며, 부화율은 약 72%를 보였다. 부화한 약충들은 이동 후 5월 중순부터 고착약충으로 되고, 6월 중순부터 2세대 성충이 활동하기 시작하였다. 부화약충기에 약제를 살포하여 살충효과를 조사한 결과, 살충률이 100%인 반면에, 고착약충기 에는 살충율은 2.7%로 살충효과가 낮은 것을 확인하였다.

알락수염노린재(Dolycoris baccarum L.)는 구북구(Palearctic region)에 널리 분포하는 다식성 곤충으로서 국내에서는 콩, 단감, 유자 등 다양한 작물의 해충이다. 이 종은 다른 노린재과(Pentatomidae) 곤충과 마찬가지로 수컷이 집합페로몬 을 방출하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 우리는 수컷의 집합페로몬 성분을 동정하기 위하여, 고상미량추출(SPME) 방법을 이용하여 수컷과 암컷 성충에서 방출되는 휘발성 물질을 포집하여 화학구조를 분석하였다. 그 결과, 수컷 특이적인 휘발물질로서 α-bisabolol, α-bergamotene, β-bisabolene을 동정하였고, 3가지 성분이 100:15:5 비율로 존재함을 밝혔다. 야외에서 알락수염노린재 수컷과 암컷 성충 모두가 주성분인 α-bisabolol을 처리한 트랩에 유인되었다. 나머지 2가지 성분(α-bergamotene과 β-bisabolene)의 경우, 그 자체로는 유인 효과가 없었으나 주성분인 α-bisabolol에 추가되면 보강효과가 발휘되었다. 곤충에서 α-bisabolol이 동정된 것은 이것이 처음이며, 이번에 밝혀진 알락수염노린재 집합페 로몬은 이 해충의 발생예찰과 친환경 방제에 유용할 것이다.

In Korea, two species, Anoplophora chinensis and Anoplophora glabripennis, have been recorded until now. Recently, outbreaks of Anoplophora spp. were reported locally in Seoul, Ulsan, Incheon, Gimhae, and Jeonju from 2015 to 2017. In this study, Anoplophora spp. were collected in the four regions, Ulsan, Incheon, Gimhae, and Jeonju, and their morphological and molecular characteristics were compared with those of Anoplophora spp. collected from several local regions. Twelve COI sequences of the Incheon/Gimhae/Ulsan/Jeonju populations in A. glabripennis were identical to KY357648, KY357652, and KY357651, and two COI sequences of Ulsan populations in A. chinensis were identical to AB439163. These sequences were generated from Chinese and Japanese Anoplophora samples by foreign researchers, suggesting the possibility of the invasion of Chinese and Japanese populations of Anoplophora spp. into Korea.

Beauveria bassiana is widely studied for its potential as biopesticide. However, little is known about the factors to influence genetic diversity among isolates. In this work, we aimed to study the gene diversity of 42 isolates to figure out the impact of sequences variability on various biological features. The accumulated data showed no correlation between sequence variability and the fungal geographic localization. Meanwhile, weak to strong correlations have been obtained between the sequence diversity of various genes and the studied biological features. Interestingly, Biotrophy-associated gene 2 gene variability was correlated with all the studied biological features, being an important marker to determine isolates of interest for biological control. Therefore, the obtained data would serve as a database to focus on interesting genes related to improving or screening highly virulent isolates as biological control agents.

A species of Beauveria bassiana is widely used for biological pest management in many countries. Many efforts have been given to figure out the clear fungal mode of action to enhance the insecticidal activity. Homologous recombination (knock-out) or hairpin RNA (knock-down) is popularly used in fungal gene function study, but gene cloning and generation of knock-out or -down mutants takes long time or temporarily knock-downed. Here in this work, we used previously generated egfp-expressing B. bassiana strain (Bb-egfp #3) and integrated dsegfp to the Bb-egfp #3 using a protoplast integration method. This work suggests that protoplast integration with dsRNA possibly generate significantly reduced gene expression in B. bassiana and the reduction is quite stable over generations which provide easy of functional study for fungal mode of action.

The serious emergence of chemical-mediated residual toxicity and insect resistance have been enforced the regulation of synthetic pesticides. Future decisions to select more realistic control options probably depend on the speed of technological development in chemical and biological pesticides. Now, a strategic collaboration between synthetic pesticides and biopesticides has been progressed, such as distribution and R&D in collaboration and M&A for obtaining microbial resources. Recently registered microbial pesticides are entomopathogenic fungi in pest management. A concept of e-biopesticide could be properly combined with digital agriculture and accelerate the use of biological control agents in the future farming.

The longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, is one of the vectors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in human. The use of pyrethroid insecticides induced pest resistance and environmental residual toxicity. Here in this work, our interest was given to the selection of highly virulent fungi against longhorned tick. A total of 101 fungal pathogens were assayed by dipping the nymph stage of ticks into a conidial suspension. Interestingly of the several species, one species showed high virulence and mycosis were observed in 7-15 days. Highly virulent strains were selected, and semi-field experiments were conducted. As a result, the control efficacy of the isolate was over 80% at 30 days of treatment. This work suggests that entomopathogenic fungi could be used to effectively control longhorend ticks.

Silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci is a worldwide agricultural pest that cause serious damage to crops. However, since this insect developed resistance to variety of chemicals, alternative control strategy needs to be studied. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control tools against this pest. We developed a dipping method in laboratory conditions to screen insecticidal activity of different fungal species and isolates against the nymphal stage of whitefly. The highly virulent isolates were characterized and 2 isolates were further selected based on their high conidial productivity and thermotolerance. Finally, several grain substrates were used to confirm the conidial productivity and thermotolerance of the selected isolates, revealing optimum conidial production when the fungi were cultured on millet grains. Both isolates could be used in further millet grain-based formulations to control the whitefly in fields.

Red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae is one of the serious pests, damaging to the egg production in chickens. Moreover, the overuse of chemical insecticides caused pest resistance and environmental residual toxicity. Therefore, this work provides a screening method to select entomopathogenic fungi as a candidate of environmentally safe control agent, having high miticidal activity against D. Gallinae. The virulence test was conducted using a spraying method. Of the several species, Beauveria species showed high virulence and mycosis were observed. Some isolates were produced on eight cereal grains in Petri dish conditions. Millet, perilla seed and barley showed the high conidia production. Conidia of the isolates produced on millet and rice showed high thermal stability, when exposed to 45℃. Based on these results, this work suggests that entomopathogenic fungi could be used to control the D. Gallinae.

The hand held voltammetry systems searched diabetic assay using glucose sensor of fluorine nafion doped carbon nanotube electrode (FCNE). An inexpensive graphite carbon pencil was used as an Ag/AgCl reference and Pt counter electrode. Upon combining and using three electrode systems, optimum square wave (SW) stripping results were attained to 1.0-9.0 ug/L with 8 points. Statistic RSD precision was of 6.02 % with n=15 in 0.1 mg/L glucose. After a total of 200 second accumulation times, analytical detection limit of 0.8 ug/L was obtained. This developed technique was applied to urine samples from diabetic patients urine for fluid analysis, it was determined that the sensor can be used with a diagnostics in the ex vivo of live cells and non treated biological fluid.

In the retail environment where online-shopping malls are growing, offline store are find it difficult to survive simply by selling their products. As a result, offline retailers are trying to find unique services that are appealing to their customers. In such a market environment, marketing strategies that stimulate the five senses other than the sight can be an alternative. Therefore, this research is aimed at observing the effect of the senses on emotion and purchase intention in a fashion retail context. A two by two experimental design (existence vs non-existence of scent x existence vs. nonexistence of eating chocolate) between subjects was used. A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned to the four situations, and they were asked to complete the questionnaires about emotion and purchase intention. The survey data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 23.0, and results are as follows. After a two-way ANOVA, we observed a statistically significant effect of the scent service on pleasure and purchase intention the sweet offering service on purchase intention. Moreover, when scents service and sweet offering service were provided at the same time, the highest purchase intention was obtained among other services. In addition, we studied the effects of emotions on purchase intentions, and the pleasant emotions resulting from the services have a positive effect of on purchase intentions.

Ranunculus asiaticus characterizes colorful and attractive flower shapes that are related with the ornamental value of bulbous plants. Improving ornamental value of bulbous flowers has been the general goal of floricultural market. Gibberellic acid (GA3) and benzyladenine (BA) play an important role in growth and developmental processes in floriculture. Combinational treatments of these two hormones have been used in floriculture to improve flower quality. We assessed the effects of combined GA3 and BA, as well as the individual effects of each hormone, on growth characteristics using soil drench application to eight R. asiaticus cultivars, ‘Giallo Millepetali’, ‘Bianco Millepetali’, ‘Arancio Millepetali’, ‘Rosa SC’, ‘Arancio Pratolino’, ‘Giallo Pratolino’, ‘Bianco Pratolino’, and ‘Rosa Ch Pratolino’. GA3 treatments increased plant height and first flower size of R. asiaticus cultivars. Moreover, about 5 to 9 days to flowering were averagely shortened by GA3 treatments compared to controls. On the other hand, the opposites, including first flower size and days to flowering, were observed for cultivars treated with BA, compared with controls. Treatments of GA3 + BA generally affected growth traits, such as plant height, flower size, and the timing of flowering on some R. asiaticus cultivars. In particular, about 5 to 6 days to flowering were reduced on average by Treatments of GA3 + BA. Our results showed positive growth effects, including plant height, days to flowering, first flower height, number of flowers from the application of individual and combined hormones to R. asiaticus cultivars and demonstrate a role for these hormones in future bulbous floriculture.