지난 2022년 제주도 애월읍 일대에서 콩 해충으로 알려진 콩은무늬밤나방(Ctenoplusia agnata) 성충이 검거세 미밤나방(Agrotis ipsilon)의 성페로몬 트랩에 대량으로 포획되었다. 검거세미밤나방 트랩은 목적 해충에 대한 포획 효율을 조사하기 위해 세 구성 성분, (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate를 3:1 비율로 고정하고 (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate를 0, 1, 6, 10, 15로 각각 비율을 달리한 미끼를 사용하였다. 각 조성별 콩은무늬밤나방 성충 포획수를 비교한 결과, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate가 첨가되지 않은 트랩에서 주당 평균 약 17.96마리로, 가장 많은 수의 개체가 포획된 것으로 확인되었다. 반면, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate가 가장 많이 함유된 트랩에서 주당 평균 약 2.5마리로 가장 적은 개체가 포획된 것으로 파악되었다. 이에 (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate의 비율이 증가할 수록, 포획되는 콩은무늬밤나방의 개체 수가 감소되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 검거세미밤나방 미끼의 주성분인 Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate는 기존의 콩은무늬밤나방 유인 성분 중 하나이기도 하여 해당 성분의 구성비가 유인에 영향을 미쳤다는 것을 예측할 수 있다. 추후에 해당 트랩들과 시판 중인 콩은무늬밤나방 성페로몬 트랩을 설치하 여 포획 양상을 비교할 필요성이 요구된다.

Because of recent reports about phosphine resistance problem, development of effective fumigation method to control grain pests became very important. In this study, a chemical treatment, ethyl formate fumigant treatment, and a physical treatment, atmospheric control, were attempted as alternative solutions to this problem. In this study, for CA(Controlled atmosphere) treatment, 99.999% nitrogen was used to create a hypoxic condition with less than 5% oxygen, and for EF, the treatment concentration was 10 mg/L to 80 mg/L. As a result of the study, in CA single treatment, adult insects showed a mortality rate of less than 10% even after 2 weeks of treatment, and pupae and larvae showed a mortality rate 71% and 34%, but eggs showed a mortality rate of 100%. In EF single treatment, adults and larvae showed a 100% mortality rate at 80 mg/L, but eggs showed a 50% mortality rate and pupae were not affected. Considering the results, CA single treatment is not suitable for controlling Tribolium castaneum because of long treatment period, and in the case of EF single treatment, additional researches on longer treatment time is needed.

Bombyx mandarina (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), the presumed ancestor of B. mori, has long been a subject of study to illustrate the geographic relationships in connection with origin of B. mori. We report 97 mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences of B. mandarina collected from Korea and Japan. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses showed that all individuals of B. mandarina collected in Korean localities formed a strong group together with all individuals originated from northern China (mainly north of the Qinling-Huaihe line) and some of southern China. This group was placed as the sister group to B. mori strians suggesting that this group had been served as an immediate progenitor for B. mori.

The genus Conicera Meigen is a group of necrophagous phorid flies mostly associated with carrion, including C. tibialis, commonly known as the “coffin fly” that breeds in buried corpses. In this study, specimens of the Conicera species collected from South Korea are examined morphologically on the basis of characteristics on male antennae, sensory organ on midfemora, and left and right surstyli on hypopygium. As a result, five species, viz. C. dauci, C. gracilis, C. orientalis, C. pacifica, C. quadrata are newly recorded from South Korea. Photographs of diagnostic characters, a distribution map and a key to males of South Korean species are provided.

The utilization of methyl bromide (MB) for quarantine purposes has been hampered by its designation as an ozone-depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol. The International Plant Protection Convention's (IPPC) call for alternatives to MB and a reduction in its usage. There is an urgent need to explore and implement substitutes. Despite some substitute agents like EDN being developed for wood, EDN has been limited due to various factors such as occupational risks. This study focuses on evaluating the efficacy of Sulfuryl Fluoride (SF) as a viable alternative fumigant against Reticulitermes speratus, one of major wood destroying pests. Experimental trials conducted at ambient temperature (23°C) revealed promising results, with SF demonstrating LCT50 and LCT99 values of 30.87 mg·h/L and 42.53 mg·h/L, respectively. Under low-temperature conditions (5°C), SF remained effective but with slightly higher LCT50 and LCT99 values of 151.62 mg·h/L and 401.90 mg·h/L, respectively. The penetration test, conducted using R. speratus-infested pine wood cubes, further highlighted SF's efficacy, with LCT50 and LCT99 values of 31.59 mg·h/L and 53.34mg·h/L at 23°C, indicating powerful penetration capabilities. When tested at a loading ratio of 90% (v/v) at 5.0mg/L for 24 hours in a 500L chamber as a middle-scale trial, SF achieved a 100% mortality, showing its potential as a suitable replacement for MB. These findings suggest that SF could open new markets as an MB substitute and enhance safety at quarantine sites when applied to imported and exported timber.

본 연구에서는 영종도에 위치한 인천과학고등학교 주변에 서식하는 개미와 개미집 근권토양을 두 차례에 걸쳐 채취한 것을 활용하여 토양미생물 순수분리 및 동정을 진행하였다. 채취된 개미의 더듬이의 모양, 털의 위치 및 분포 등의 형태학적 동정 및 DNA extraction을 통한 분자생물학적 동정을 통하여 채취한 개미를 Camponotus japonicus으로 결론하였다. 토양미생물을 연속희석법을 이용하여 확인한 결과 채취한 개미집 세 곳에서 각각 12, 18, 10개의 종이 동정되었다. 개미집 근권토양의 비옥도가 상대적으로 높다는 선행연구를 바탕 으로 ‘분리한 토양미생물이 다양한 유기물 분해 효소활성을 보일 것’이라는 가설을 세웠고, 이를 확인하기 위해 분별배지를 제작하여 디스크 확산법을 진행하였다. 실험 결과 개미집 근권 토양에서 분리된 균주가 일반 토양에 서 분리된 균주에 비해 높은 효소활성을 보임을 확인하였으며 개미집 근권 토양 미생물의 불용성인산 가용화능 이 우수함을 확인하였다. 이후 위 실험들을 바탕으로 개미집 근권 토양 미생물이 식물 생장을 촉진시켜 미생물을 접종한 토양에서의 식물의 건조 질량이 증가하였음을 확인하였다.

Immune priming is an increased immunity after prior exposure to a specific pathogen as a kind of adaptive immunity and occurs in insects. However, its underlying mechanism is elusive in insects. Immune priming was detected in a lepidopteran insect, Spodoptera exigua. Prior infection with a heat-killed pathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus hominickii, increased survival upon the second infection of the live bacteria compared to larvae without pre-exposure. Plasma collected from larvae with the prior infection significantly up-regulated cellular and humoral immune responses compared to the similar treatment without prior exposure. However, when the active plasma exhibiting immune priming was heat-treated, it lost the priming activity, suggesting a presence of protein factor(s) in the immune priming. Lipocalin is a lipid carrier protein and is well known in vertebrates for diverse physiological functions including immunity. An apolipoprotein D3 (ApoD3) is known to be a lipocalin functioning in immune priming in a mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. A homologous ApoD3 (Se-ApoD3) was identified in S. exigua. Se-ApoD3 was expressed in all developmental stages and larvae, it was highly expressed in hemocytes. RNA interference (RNAi) of Se-ApoD3 expression was performed by injecting its specific dsRNA. The larvae treated with the RNAi were impaired in cellular and humoral immune responses. Furthermore, the plasma collected from RNAi-treated larvae lost the immune priming even at the prior exposure. These suggest that Se-ApoD3 mediates the immune priming in S. exigua.

The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, is an ectoparasite of domestic and wild animals, which transmit various pathogens including Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV). They are the predominant hard tick species in Republic of Korea (ROK) and widely distributed throughout ROK. It is known that H. longicornis produce their offspring via two reproductive strategies, bisexual and parthenogenesis. It might affect their population maintenance and vectorial capacity. Parthenogenesis H. longicornis had the insertion of two thymine ‘T’ in mitochondrial 16s rDNA. In this study, we analyzed the proportion of bisexual and parthenogenesis H. longicornis in ROK including thirteen cities: Goseong[GS], Sokcho[SC], Chuncheon[CC], Ganghwa[GH], Samcheok[SCH], Sangju[SJ], Boryeong[BR], Ulsan[US], Gochang[GC], Jinju[JNJ], Jindo[JD], Jeju[JJ], and Seogwipo[SG]. Parthenogenesis individuals predominated from the northeastern are of ROK including Goseong, Sokcho, Chuncheon, Ganghwa, Samcheok, Sangju, Ulsan, and Jinju. Whereas bisexual individuals predominated from the southwestern area in ROK including Boryeong, Gochang, Jindo, Jeju, and Seogwipo. The analysis of haplotype diversity using concatenated sequences of mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and Cytochrome B (CytB) revealed that H. longicornis were grouped into two major haplotypes. Two major haplotypes were correlated with bisexual and parthenogenesis, respectively. Likewise, H. longicornis individuals were divided into two clades and each clade were indicated by bisexual and parthenogenesis. The current study provides us an understanding of the genetic characteristics of two reproductive strategies for H. longicornis, which will be led to expand knowledge of the life cycle and population maintaining for H. longicornis.

The salivary glands of hard ticks consist of three types (type I, II, and III) of acini according to their functions and location. The type II and III acini play critical roles in tick salivation, which is likely controlled by a variety of neuropeptides or neurotransmitter via interaction with their receptor, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Orchestration of dopamine receptor (D1) and invertebrate specific D1-like dopamine receptor (InvD1L) located in type II and III acini precisely control tick salivary secretion via collection of primary saliva in the lumen and expulsion of collected saliva, respectively. The two dopamine receptors (D1 and InvD1L) in Haemaphysalis longicornis were identified as 1278 bp (426 aa) and 1362 bp (454 aa) in length, respectively. Both dopamine receptors were functionally analyzed through Ca2+ and cAMP assay using the heterologous expression system. The transcripts of D1 and InvD1L were profiled from synganglion and salivary glands of female ticks (unfed, 3/18/60/96 post blood meal and replete). D1 and InvD1L were significantly upregulated in the early phase of blood feeding from female H. longicornis. Salivary secretion induced by dopamine was significantly reduced by RNAi of D1 and InvD1L. Interestingly, RNAi of two dopamine receptors induced a significantly longer period of blood feeding in female ticks, which were significantly lighter after feeding than control. Taken together, it was suggested that D1 and InvD1L play critical roles in early and late phase of tick blood feeding for feeding capability.

The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) plays a crucial role in insect immunity and development by metabolizing oxylipins such as EpOMEs and EETs. This study investigates sEH's involvement in insect antiviral response against Autographacalifornicanuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) infection. Viral infection assays were performed on Plutellaxylostellaand Marucavitrata, utilizing occlusion bodies (OB, via feeding) and budded virus (BV, through injection). Insect mortality was monitored every 12 h for up to 7 days. Our findings demonstrated a dose-dependent impact of both virus forms (OB and BV) on insects. Additionally, the sEH inhibitor, AUDA (12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido) dodecanoic acid), was employed alongside the virus. The results indicated that combining AUDA with the virus increased insect mortality. Furthermore, fluorescence assays revealed the gradual movement of the virus from the gut to hemolymph and fat body. AUDA was observed to expedite virus infection. Moreover, sEH expression rapidly increased along with the viral infection in Spodoptera exigua. RNA interference of sEH expression enhanced the viral virulence against S.exigua. These suggest that EpOMEs play crucial roles in immune resolution against viral infection in insects.

Rice serves as the staple food for many Asian countries. However, it faces a significant threat from various Hemiptera species, including Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera, Laodelphax striatellus, and Nephotettix cincticeps, which can cause devastating diseases. These species are economically significant pests of rice. Traditional morphology-based methods have proven inefficient in accurately distinguishing these pests at the species level. In this study, we present a successful approach for designing species-specific primers and their application in both general and multiplex PCR as well as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays, widely adopted molecular tools for species identification. Each primer set incorporates a species-specific sequence of at least 2 base pairs in both the forward and reverse primers. These primers have demonstrated exceptional diagnostic accuracy in conventional and multiplex PCR. Additionally, our study showcases the high sensitivity of LAMP, successfully achieving positive amplification with genomic DNA quantities ranging from 100pg to 10pg. In summary, these techniques provide an efficient means of diagnosing planthoppers in a large number of field-collected or individual samples.

담배가루이(Bemisia tabaci)는 국내 주요 농업 해충으로서 고추, 오이, 토마토 등의 시설재배 작물에 큰 피해를 입힌다. 담배가루이는 작물을 흡즙하여 식물체의 상태를 악화시키고 TYLCV(tomato yellow leaf curl virus)등 100 여 종의 바이러스를 매개하며, 배설물을 통해 그을음병을 유발한다. 가장 일반적인 담배가루이의 방제방법은 빠르고 높은 효과를 지닌 살충제 살포이다. 하지만, 지속적인 화학적 방제는 해충의 살충제 저항성을 야기한다. 살충제 저항성은 방제 효율 감소와 농가의 경제적 손실을 일으킨다. 본 연구는 국내 지역별 시설 고추 재배지에서 발생한 담배가루이의 약제별 저항성을 조사하여, 지역별로 효과적인 약제 선정 및 대체 약제 추천 등 지속 가능한 해충관리법을 제시하고자 한다. 담배가루이는 전국 13개(파주, 양평, 화성, 횡성, 당진, 천안, 공주, 예천, 구미, 사천, 남원, 나주, 고흥) 지역에서 채집되었다. 작용기작 별 사용량이 많은 8종을 선정하였으며, 엽침지법을 사용 하여 살충률을 확인하였다. 곤충생장조절제(insect growth regulators, IGR)인 피리프록시펜계 약제는 알을 대상 으로, 그 외 7개 약제는 2령약충을 대상으로 살충률을 확인하였다. 높은 살충력을 보인 약제는 아버멕틴, 밀베마 이신계, 스피노신계, METI살충제, 디아마이드계 약제이다. 아버멕틴, 밀베마이신계는 권장사용농도로 처리 시 최소 84.5%, 최대 100% 살충률을 보였다. 스피노신계는 최소 86.3%, 최대 90.6% 살충률을 보였으나 천안, 파주, 사천에서 각각 59.7%, 66.6%, 79%로 다른 지역에 비해 상대적으로 낮은 살충률을 보였다. METI살충제는 최소 81.1%, 최대 98% 살충률을 보였으나 나주, 예천, 천안, 사천이 각각 61.6%, 68.8%, 68.9%, 69.2%의 상대적으로 낮은 살충률을 보였다. 디아마이드계는 최소 83.9%, 최대 91.9% 살충률을 보였으나 천안과 구미가 각각 56.6%, 59.8%로 상대적으로 낮은 살충률을 보였다. 낮은 살충력을 보인 약제는 네오니코티노이드계, 설폭시민계, 테트 론산 및 테트람산 유도체, 피리프록시펜계 약제이다. 네오니코티노이드계는 최소 14.1%, 최대 41.9% 살충률을 보였다. 설폭시민계는 최소 17%, 최대 42.8% 살충률을 보였다. 테트론산 및 테트람산 유도체는 최소 30.5%, 최대 54.9% 살충률을 보였으나 천안이 14.4%로 특히 낮은 살충률을 보였다. 피리프록시펜계는 최소 55.3%, 최대 64.3% 살충률을 보였으나 횡성이 72.2%로 상대적으로 높은 살충률을 보였으며, 파주가 35%로 상대적으로 낮은 살충률을 보였다. 실험 결과를 통해 살충제 별 살충력의 차이와 지역별로 살충률의 차이를 확인하였다. 본 연구결 과를 통해 효과적인 약제 추천과 지역에 따라 다른 방제 전략 제시에 도움이 되고자 한다.

Since 2007, diamide insecticides have been widely used in Korea to control various types of lepidopteran pests including Spodoptera exigua. For nearly a decade, diamide resistance in field populations of S. exigua across 18 localities has been monitored using bioassays. Based on the LC50 values, some field populations showed a high level of resistance against chlorantraniliprole, although regional and temporal variations were observed. To investigate resistance at a molecular level, mutations (Y4701C, I4790M, and G4946E) were examined in the ryanodine receptor (RyR), which is the primary mechanism underlying diamide insecticide resistance. As a result, only I4790M mutation was found in most of field populations. As resistance levels varied significantly despite the uniform presence of the I4790M mutation, we considered the presence of another resistance factor. Further, the I4790M mutation was also found in S. exigua specimens collected prior to the commercialization of diamide insecticides in Korea as well as in other countries, such as the USA. This finding led us to hypothesize that the I4790M mutation were predisposed in field populations owing to selection factors other than diamide use. For further clarification, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of S. exigua (449.83 Mb) and re-sequencing of 18 individuals. However, no additional non-synonymous mutations were detected in the RyR-coding region. Therefore, the high level of diamide insecticide resistance in Korean S. exigua is not caused by mutations at the target site, RyR, but is attributed to other factors that need to be investigated in future studies.

The order Pseudoscorpiones De Geer, 1778, often referred to as pseudoscorpion, is a relatively understudied taxonomic group in Korea. Korea has documented only 26 species within 8 families and 13 genera of Pseudoscorpiones, a notably smaller number compared to Japan, which includes 100 species in 13 families and 35 genera, or China, with 168 species in 12 families and 39 genera. Additionally, Korea currently lacks comprehensive information regarding the ecology, behavior, and taxonomic characteristics of Pseudoscorpiones. These highly sensitive soil-dwelling predators dynamically respond to changes in soil conditions, making them potential significant biological indicator species. Furthermore, Pseudoscorpiones are known for their adaptation to lower soil temperatures, rendering them particularly sensitive indicators of climate change impacts. Through this presentation, our goal is to illuminate the ecology, behavior, and taxonomic attributes of Pseudoscorpiones species recorded in Korea. By doing so, we aim to contribute to the future expansion of research in this field and enhance our understanding of these remarkable arachnids.

Erebidae is one of the most diverse families within Lepidoptera. Erebinae is one of its subfamilies that stands out for having a remarkable diversity, which complicates its taxonomic classification. It exhibits a high degree of global diversity, with many yet-to-be-explored faunal aspects. In this study, we review the historical classification of Erebinae and incorporate the latest molecular phylogenetic analyses alongside traditional morphological groupings. Furthermore, we present a detailed list of Erebine tribes and species found in Korea, highlighting the literature and morphological characteristics employed in grouping genera within these tribes. This study aims to advance our understanding of Erebinae’s complex taxonomy and biodiversity.

Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) exhibits a specialized herbivorous diet, primarily targeting select Solanaceae plants. Despite its significant economic impact as a pest, causing substantial harm to crops like hot pepper and tobacco, it has received comparatively limited attention in research compared to its generalist counterparts, H. armigera and H. zea.We introduce a chromosome level genome assembly using a Korean H. assulta (Pyeongchang strain, K18). This assembly was achieved through a combined approach utilizing Nanopore long-read sequencing (approximately 78X coverage) and Illumina NovaSeq short-read sequencing (approximately 54X coverage). The total assembled genome spans 424.36 Mb, designated as ASM2961881v1, comprises 62 scaffolds, with 98.7% of the genome contained within 31 scaffolds, confirming the insect's chromosome count (n = 31). The completeness of the assembly is reflected in BUSCO assessment, with values reaching 99.0%, while the repeat content accounts for 33.01%, and 18,593 CDS were annotated. Additionally, 137 genes were identified within 15 orthogroups that have rapidly expanded in H. assulta, while 149 genes in 95 orthogroups have rapidly contracted. This genome draft serves as a valuable resource to explore various aspects of the specialist's biology, enabling research into host-range evolution, chemical communication, insecticide resistance, and comparative investigations with other Heliothine species.

모기는 감염병을 매개하는 종으로 전염병 확산 억제를 위해서는 개체수의 감시와 정확한 예측이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 모기 개체수 및 기상 및 현장 자료를 활용해 모기 개체수 머신러닝 모델을 개발하였다. 모기 개체수는 디지털 모기 측정기(Digital Mosquito Monitoring System, DMS)의 2015 년~2022년의 5월~10월의 자료를 활용하였다. 기상 자료는 기온, 강수량, 풍속, 습도를 사용하였으며, 현장 조사 자료는 현장을 명목척도와 서열척도로 나누어 기록하여, 명목 척도의 경우 원핫 인코딩으 로 변환해 수치화하여 사용하였다. 분석에 사용된 머신러닝 모델은 Artificial Neural Network, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Machine, Support Vector Machine이며 성능지표로 R2, RMSE를 사용하였다. 연구 결과, Gradient Boosting 모델이 R2 0.4, RMSE 22.45로 가장 좋은 성능을 나타냈다. 현장 조사 자료 를 분석에 활용하였을 때 R2는 증가하였고, RMSE는 감소하였다. 본 연구 결과 모기 개체수에 현장 조사 자료가 예측 정확도를 향상시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다.

Family Nolidae has not much been treated as noticeable pest. In other countries, there are some pest species like Garella musculana (Erschoff, 1874), Uraba lugens Walker, 1866, and Earias insulana (Boisduval, 1833), but those are not reported in Korea. Recently, the occurrence of a nolid species, Meganola major (Hampson, 1894) has been increasing, especially in Jeollanam-do Prov. This species is mainly distributed in Indian subregion and Southeast Asia, but also East Asia reported, but until now, there are no outbreak information. Neverthereless, recent outbreak might be lead by global warming, and their growth stage. This seems to be evidence of the potential outbreak risk of nolid moths, but unfortunately, their ecology is not mostly well-studied. In this discussion, we are focusing on the potential outbreak of nolid moths in East Asiatic and Oriental regions.

Humans have lived in relationship with bees for a very long time. In addition, as essential pollinators, Bee also contribute to biodiversity by promoting the reproduction of various plant species, and play an important role in global food security. Therefore, strong and thriving bee populations are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and sustaining food production systems. However, the population of these bees is currently rapidly decreasing due to various causes such as climate change, abnormal temperatures, infectious diseases, and predators. In this presentation, we will learn about the microorganisms that affect bees, including bacteria and fungi, among the various causes of the decline in the bee population, and study their control.