In Korea, six mealybug species have been reported on pears. This study investigated the occurrence of mealybugs in 19 pear orchards from 2013 to 2014. Two species, Crisicoccus matsumotoi (Siraiwa) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) were mainly found. The dominant species was C. matsumotoi identified on 73% of infested fruit. Toxicities of 14 registered insecticides (7 single formulations and 7 mixed formulations) commonly used to control P. comstocki were evaluated to C. matsumotoi nymphs and adults at the recommended concentration. As a results, all insecticides exhibited strong insecticidal activity with 100% mortality of both nymphs and adults. These results indicate that the 14 insecticides can be used in control for C. matsumotoi in field.

The present study was made to assess annual changes on seasonal occurrence of Apiformes, commonly known as bees, as global warming apparently happens. Bees were collected from ten sites using a malaise trap for each site, and sample collection was made every two weeks from April to September in 2011 to 2014. In overall diversity, abundance and richness of bees appeared higher in northern sites, particularly Gwangneung and Hongcheon, than southern. The abundance of bees declined sharply in 2013 and decreased even further in 2014. Among the bee families the most decreased families were Halictidae and Andrenidae. In order to see the effect of annual temperature fluctuation correlation analysis was used with collection data and weather data. However, the result indicated that the decline of the bees was not significantly affected by changes of temperature although most of the bee families except Halictidae showed negative relation with temperature data(p < 0.05). In addition we also analysed the bee collection data and flowering data during spring in Gwangneung. Dufrene-Legendre indicator species analysis (ISA) for latitudinal sites identified seventeen indicator species (p < 0.05) that were limited to northern region.

In the present study we report a newly recognized crambid species, Sinibotys butleri (South, 1901). Previously, two species, S. evenoralis and S. obliquilinealis, were known from Korea, but now they are belonged to a genus Torulisquama Zhang, 2010, that was newly erected in a recent study. Sinibotys differs from Torulisquama by having: forewing 36－47.5 mm in length and without unscaled areas; male with transtilla covered with setae and editum bearing dense setae; female with ductus bursae relatively broad and short; corpus bursae and signum much larger. We update taxonomic position of these three species accordingly and compare Sinibotys and Torulisquama morphologically. A Key to species, description of adult, male and female genitalia structures are provided with available information such as collection locality, host plant and distribution range for the species.

A novel insect-infecting positive sense single-stranded RNA virus, Riptortus pedestris virus-1 (RiPV-1), was found in the Riptortus pedestris transcriptome data by de novo assembly and further confirmed by RACE method. The genome of RiPV-1 consists of 10,554 nucleotides (nt) excluding the poly(A) tail and contains a single large open reading frame (ORF) of 10,371 nt encoding a 3,456 aa polyprotein and flanked by 71 and 112 nt 5' and 3' noncoding regions, respectively. RiPV-1 genome contains the consensus genome organization of picorna-like RNA helicase, cysteine protease, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) array in that order from the 5' to the 3' end. From the phylogenetic analysis, RiPV-1 was clustered with unassigned insect RNA viruses, APV and KFV, which suggests that these three insect picorna-like viruses might constitute a novel group of insect-infecting RNA viruses. Tissue tropism analysis revealed that RiPV-1 was relatively abundant in the thorax, abdomen, midgut and fat body. Interestingly, RiPV-1 replication was enhanced by Beauveria bassiana JEF-007 infection that was quantified using qRT-PCR. This study identified a novel insect-infecting virus and provided further insight into the relationship between virus, fungus and host.

Beauveria bassiana (Bb) is an entomopathogenic fungus with a wide host range, and is commonly used as an environment-friendly biopesticide. However, the molecular mechanisms of Bb-host interactions are not well understood. Here, RNA isolated from a highly virulent strain of B. bassiana (Bb JEF-007) and Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) (bean bug) infected with this strain were subjected to high throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze and compare transcriptomes. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis showed that 2,381 genes were up-regulated and 2,303 genes were down-regulated upon infection. Most DEGs were classified into the categories of single-organism, cellular and metabolism processes by gene ontology (GO) analysis. Carbon metabolism-related enzymes in the glyoxylate cycle were significantly up-regulated, suggesting a possible role for them in Bb growth in the host. This work provides insight into how entomopathogenic B. bassiana occupies agriculturally harmful bean bug at the late stage, which might be essential during fungal infection.

Six wooden plant essential oils (EOs; Illicium verum, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Bursea delpechiana,Croton anisatum, Cinnamomum cassia and Aniba rosaeodora) and their major compounds (trans-anethole, methyl salicylate, trans-cinnamaldehyde, linalool and linalyl acetate) identified from gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry were tested for adult repellence and pheromone antagonism using Y-tube essay and oviposition deterrent effect using no choice test against adzuki bean beetle (ABB), Callosobruchus chinensis L. EOs of I. verum and C. anisatum as well as their common major compound, trans-anethole were found effective repellents having high degree of pheromone antagonistic and oviposition deterrent activity. Methyl salicylate, the major compound of G. fragrantissima EO (which was only the pheromone antagonist) showed high degree of repellency, oviposition deterrence and pheromone antagonistic effect in higher concentration. From this study, EOs of I. verum and C. anisatum and their common major compound trans-anethole as well as the major compound of G. fragrantissima, methyl salicylate can be screened as eco-friendly management agents against C. chinensis in stored legumes if slow releasing formulations are prepared by future efforts.

The larvicidal activities and repellency of Magnolia kobus extract against C. pipiens and Ae. albopictus were examined. M. Kobus methanol extraction showed 100% larvicidal activity both two mosquitoes at 500 ppm after treated 24 h. At a concentration of 50 ppm, the hexane fraction showed 100% and 94% mortality against C. pipiens and Ae. albopictus at 24 h, respectively. Purification of the biologically active constituents from the hexane extraction with larvicidal activity was done using silica gel open column chromatography and HPLC. H2 fraction gave >90% mortality to both mosquitoes at 10 ppm after treated 48 h. H21 fraction was determined 100% larvicidal activity to C. pipiens at 10 ppm. However, very low larvicidal activity was obseved to Ae. albopictus. This is considered a synergistic effect between substances. It also appears that there is a susceptibility difference of substance against mosquito species. H21 fraction was analyzed as the lignan, sesamin (C20H18O6) by GC-MS and NMR. Mosquito repellent and olfactory response was using a patch test.

Alfalfa weevil is an invasive pest of several leguminous plants. In the world preservative, there is a lack of information about the level of differentiation among separate populations. We ran a comparative molecular and ecological analysis to assess diversity, phylogenetic relationship and also simplify the taxonomic decisions. By analyzing a total of 147 specimens from Middle East, Europe and America plus a few sequences in GenBank we improved our current knowledge of world phylogeography of Hypera postica. The result of mitochondrial genes (Summation of COI and CytB) revealed a deep divergence between two previously defined clades (5.6 – 6.7% nucleotide divergence) within sympatric distribution. The Eastern lineage comprised 60 haplotypes in Iran and 3 haplotypes in Italy with respectively 0.07 – 2.2% and 0.2 – 3.4% sequence divergence range. On the other hand, the Western lineage which was detected in Poland, Czech and Western America had relatively lower haplotype diversity presenting a total of 11 haplotypes and 0.1%-1.1% sequence divergence. The coexistence of two lineages in some regions led to the huge overlap in their fundamental nich, but also a certain level of divergence can be detected via ecological nich modeling analysis.

Ionizing irradiation can be used as an alternative to chemical fumigants for disinfestation of cut flowers, agricultural products, seeds, foods, medical products, and spices. In this study, we investigated the effect of electron beam irradiation on reproduction and development in Spodoptera litura. When irradiated to the adults, there was no difference in fecundity. However, egg hatching was considerably decreased. When irradiated to the pupae, fecundity was decreased as dose increased and wing deformity of newly emerged adults was increased as time passed. When irradiated to the larvae, developmental period and pupa deformity was significantly increased. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of sterility and abnormal development, we performed quantitative real-time PCR and SDS-PAGE.

Insect antennae play important roles in finding mates and in locating food source and oviposition sites. Riptortus pedestris is an important pest of soybean and sweet persimmon in Korea. The male R. pedestris adult produce the aggregation pheromone attracting the conspecific nymphs and both sexes of adults. The pheromone was known as a cue for food finding, but the 1st instar nymph can develop to the 2nd instar without food. This phenomenon may suggest that the 1st instar nymph may have different sensilla system from other instars. Thus, we investigated the morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla and antennal response to the aggregation pheromone (AG) of each nymphal stage using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Electroantennography (EAG). As expected, first instar nymph did not have sensilla trichodea 3 (T3) and chaetica 3 (Ch3) which existed in other instar nymphs. The antennae of the 1st instar nymph did not responded to AG, with no difference from control. For further elucidation of the functions of sensilla T3 and CH3, single sensillum recording to AG will be done.

This study reports the effects of H2S gas concentration on the properties of Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) thin films. Specifically, sulfurization process with low H2S concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1%, along with 5% H2S gas, was studied. CZTS films were directly synthesized on Mo/Si substrates by chemical bath deposition method using copper sulfate, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, tin chloride dihydrate, and sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate. Smooth CZTS films were grown on substrates at optimized chemical bath deposition condition. The CZTS films sulfurized at low H2S concentrations of 0.05 % and 0.1% showed very rough and porous film morphology, whereas the film sulfurized at 5% H2S yielded a very smooth and dense film morphology. The CZTS films were fully crystallized in kesterite crystal form when they were sulfurized at 500 oC for 1 h. The kesterite CZTS film showed a reasonably good room-temperature photoluminescence spectrum that peaked in a range of 1.4 eV to 1.5 eV, consistent with the optimal bandgap for CZTS solar cell applications.

The bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mainly contributes to the structural integrity, survival and protection barrier against harsh environments. Therefore, the early stages in LPS or lipid A biosynthesis are attractive targets in the identification and development of inhibitors which would be effective against infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The bacterial outer membrane proteins (OMPs) meanwhile function as maintenance for structure, adhesion to other cells and substances, as well as development of resistance to antimicrobials. The LPS and LPS-related molecules, and OMPs are important immunogenic components of several important pathogens including Brucella, which have been extensively used in immunological studies and in the diagnosis of diseases. Here we review the importance, structure, functions and immunogenic aspects of LPS and OMPs particularly of Brucella which can be targeted for the prevention and diagnosis of brucellosis.

Viral respiratory infections are common in horses, notably equine herpesvirus infection and equine influenza, which primarily initiate secondary bacterial respiratory infections such as strangles caused by Streptococcus equi equi. A decline in the production of stallions has been associated with these respiratory diseases leading to adverse financial implications. This study investigated the antibody responses against respiratory diseases in horses from Jeju Island a year after vaccination. A low level of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) (11.36%) antibodies was detected from stallions, however a high level of EHV-4 (95.84%) antibodies was detected from horses without vaccination against this infection suggesting that EHV-4 is ubiquitous in this horse population. In case of equine influenza, ranch stallions showed low positive rate (12.06%) whereas stallions from Subtropical Livestock Research Institute displayed higher positive rate (81.32%). Antibody responses against equine influenza and strangles revealed positive rates of 26.32% and 55.12%, respectively. These findings may draw attention towards the importance of developing an improved disease prevention and/or immunization program that will effectively control respiratory diseases in horses.

Respiratory diseases among horses cause economic losses in foals and productivity decreases in horses being raised and in adult horses. In South Korea, fundamental studies of horses’ respiratory diseases and those related to disease occurrence are insufficient. Therefore, the aim if the current study was to use diverse hematological indicators, obtained through hematological tests and measurment of blood antibody level in horses suffering form respiratory diseases, to monitor disease occurrence and prognosis evaluation. Investigations of infection states by horses’ bacterial respiratory diseases, susceptible drugs, and resisted drugs according to pathogens showed differences between farms. Among the β-lactam-based antibiotics, cephalosporin-based antibiotics showed some efficacy against Streptococcus spp. To review age-based changes in erythrocytometer hemograms in hematological tests of riding horses, red blood cell (RBC) tended to gradually decrease with increasing age this tendency was statistically significant. In addition, leukocytometer hemograms analyzed by age showed that total white blood cell counts tended to decrease with increasing age. These results of drug susceptibility tests and hematological tests, which have not been presented thus far, will be useful as standardized data in future breeding management and disease tests of Jeju riding horses.

The surface rheological properties of polymer monolayer show complicated non-linear viscoelastic flow phenomena when they are subjected to spreading flow. These spreading flow properties are controlled by the characteristics of flow units. The kinetics of the formation of an interfacial film obtained after spreading poly(diisobutylene maleic acid) at air-water interface were studied by measuring of the surface pressure with time. The experimental data were analyzed theoretically according to a nonlinear surface viscoelastic model. The values of dynamic modulus, static modulus, surface viscosities and rheological parameters in various area/ monomer were obtained by appling experimental data to the equation of nonlinear surface viscoelastic model.