Some of Helicoverpa species (Noctuidae: Heliothinae) are among the worst Lepidopteran agricultural pests in the world, such as H. armigera, H. assulta, H. zea, and H. punctigera. Despite different distribution areas, these species possibly migrate long distances both with and without human transportation, mixing insecticide resistance alleles along the way. As these species are morphologically similar at the larval stage, diagnostic methods have been developed and utilized for their identification. Here, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid and effective species diagnosis, along with PCR, to identify Korean field-collected or overseas samples. Species-specific primers were designed by aligning and comparing the mitochondrial genomes of related species, including four species. There are differences depending on the species and the optimal temperature and reaction time of the LAMP assay, depending on the set of four essential primers. For instance, H. armigera sensitivity is good enough to allow visual discrimination when reacted at 61°C for 30 minutes. This simple and accurate LAMP assay can be used for intensive field monitoring and integrated management of these species.

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.

The family Stathmopodidae, which belongs to to the superfamily Gelechioidea, has 6 genera and 18 species reported in Korea to date. This family is classified as pests, causing serious damage to grains or fruits, depending on the species. Therefore, precise control is necessary, however, there is a lack of taxonomic and ecological research. We aim to analyze the clade and speciation timing for phylogenetic analysis of Stathmopodidae using ChatGPT, a tool that has recently garnered much attention. ChatGPT, a conversational AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is accessible to anyone and being able to improve itself through conversations with users. In this study, we utilized the lengths of the generated lineage branches and the molecular clock rate to predict when certain species of the family Stathmopodidae diverged, measured in millions of years. However, further study is required to obtain more accurate figures.

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.

This study presents a thorough identification of species of clearwing moths causing damage to street trees in Korea. Identification was carried out using both morphological and molecular studies, and their intra- and interspecific genetic divergence were analysed via molecular data. The outcomes of this research will facilitate detection of the insect pest species, which is frequently misidentified, as well as forecasting their migration routes in Korea for preemptive control studies.

최근 외래해충의 침입과 확산의 우려가 증대됨에 따라 이들에 대한 체계적인 탐색과 관리에 대한 필요성이 요구되고 있다. 이에 이들에 대한 종합적인 시스템구축으로 신속한 탐색과 방제에 대한 방안을 구축하기 위한 시스템의 확보를 위안 연구가 필요한 실정이다. 이를 위해 침입해충에 대한 종합시스템은 내·외부 이용자에게 제공되는 서비스페이지, 이용자별 권한에 따른 데이터 등록 페이지와 관리페이지를 중심으로 설계되었다. 또한 서비스제공 페이지는 K-SDM 소개, 통합검색, 외래 곤충 정보(종 별 정보),외래 곤충 분포(조사통계), 외래 곤충 예측(예상 분포 및 시나리오), 정보마당(공지사항, 보도자료), 서비스 이용 매뉴얼, 사이트 맵의 기능을 포함하고 있다. 본 시스템의 운용을 위해 회원가입 승인을 마친 내부이용자와 외부 이용자(일반 이용자 제외)가 데이터 등록 시에 사용하는 데이터관리 페이지는 조사데이터 등록, 이전 등록 데이터 수정, 데이터 등록 매뉴얼, 데이터 열람, 필요데이터 출력과 알림, 메시지, 과제등록현황의 기능을 포함한다. 이외에도 기관 관리자가 사용하는 DB 및 시스템 관리페이지는 데이터관리, 과제관리, 종 관리, 통계관리, 예측관리, WEB 서비스관리, 이용자 관리, 기관관리를 포함한다. 각 상세 기능들의 구현에 대하여 효율적이고 체계적인 시스템의 구축이 이루어졌다.

국내 천적농업이 활성화되기 위해서 토착천적을 개발하여야 한다. 토착천적들을 개발하기 위하여 시설재배 지 내에 다양한 비작물성 식물들을 확보하는 것이 필요하다. 식물의 종류가 많으면 이에 서식하는 기주곤충이 늘어나고 그 곤충들의 토착천적들이 증가한다. 이러한 시설재배지내에 식물 종다양성 확보를 위하여 재배작물 사이의 공간에 경합되지 않는 곳에는 다양한 잡초를 증식하거나 새로운 천적유지 식물을 개발하여 다양한 기주 곤충을 증식시켜야 한다. 현재 가장 많이 사용하는 것으로서 보리를 이용한 콜레마니진딧벌 천적유지식물이 개발되었지만, 그 외에도 담배, 천사의나팔 김장배추, 쑥, 소리쟁이, 냉이 등 다양한 천적유지식물들을 개발할 수 있다. 즉, 토착천적을 개발하기 위하여 생태적으로 안정된 작물재배환경을 유지하는게 필요하고 이러한 안정 된 생태계 속에서 효과적인 천적을 통한 해충방제가 이루어질 수 있다.

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.