The genus Peloribates is comparatively species rich, and world-wide, more than eighty species are assigned to this genus (Bayartogtokh, 2000). In Korea, four species of Peloribates were recorded. In this study, Peloribates barbatus Aoki is reported from Korea for the first time. This species was collected from rice straw mat of Cherry tree in Andong National University. We present the morphology of this species relative to body size, length, shape of sensillus, position of seta, and feeding comparing with previously recorded four species of Peloribates. A diagnostic description of this species with detailed illustration.

Bombus terrestris has played an important role in the pollination in agricultural fields for the alternatives in colony collapsing in the honeybee. Recently, some pathogens or parasites such as viruses, bacteria, mites have been discovered in B. terristris, which affects its life span and fecundity. In order to detect a microsporidian, Nosema apis. in the field population, we collected honeybees and isolated genomic DNA. PCR primers specific for 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) were synthesized and applied to gene amplification for cloning and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The amplified gene was cloned and sequenced to confirm the 16S rRNA gene. qRT-PCR analysis showed the detection limit of 16S rRNA of Nosema apis was approximately 0.5 ng/μl genomic DNA. This result suggests that detection via qRT-PCR can be applied for the diagnosis of pathogen infection.

The study was conducted to investigate the phenology of G. molesta adult, and to develop and validate the degree-day model of G. molesta in apple orchards. It was known that G. molesta is a multi-voltine insect depending on temperature and geographic location. G. molesta damage to many economically important fruit trees such as apple and pear. Data collection was carried out in five apple-growing location (Chungju, Bonghwa, Andong, Uiseong, and Geochang) and at least three commercial orchards of each location was selected for collecting data in 2011 and 2012. The commercial pheromone monitoring trap (GreenAgroTech) was used to investigate the flight phenology of G. molesta. The relationships between degree-day accumulated above the low temperature threshold and cumulative proportion of accumulated G. molesta caught per generation were used to predict the phenology of G. molesta. The phenology of G. molesta per generation was analyzed by Weibull 2-parameter function. The generation of G. molesta was depending on local environmental conditions, specially temperature. The first flight of G. molesta adult in Chungju was later than other places. The average number of G. molesta caught in Uiseong was significanlty decreased from 2011 to 2012. The occurrence of G. molesta adult was explained well by degree-day model using Weibull 2 parameter function. The developed model system could be applied to manage G. molesta population in apple orchards.

Grapholita molesta is one of economically important pests in pear orchards and has four to five generations per year depending on food resources, geographic location, and temperature. The overwintering larvae of G. molesta pupate early in the spring and new adults start to flight for several reasons such as mating, seeking resources and oviposition. The study was conducted to develop the full seasonal phenology model of G. molesta and to investigate the phenology of G. molesta adult in pear orchards. Data collection was carried out in five pear-growing location (Anseong, Icheon, Sangju, Ulju and Naju). Three commercial orchards of each location was selected for collecting data in 2011 and 2012. The flight phenology of G. molesta was investigated by the commercial pheromone monitoring trap (GreenAgroTech) once per week. The phenology of G. molesta per generation was predicted by the relationships between degree-day accumulation above the low temperature threshold and cumulative proportion of accumulated moth caught per generation. The phenology of G. molesta per generation was calculated by Weibull 2-parameter function. Although the latitude of Sangju was higher than that of Naju, the first flight of G. molesta adult from two orchards was similar. The average number of G. molesta adult caught in every pear orchards was increased from 2011 to 2012. The occurrence of G. molesta adult was explained well by degree-day model using Weibull 2-parameter function.

Rapid identification of pest species found under quarantine is an important factor in preventing an economic loss of agricultural commodities. In this study, we analyzed RNA-Seq of the larvae of C. sasakii, G. molesta and G. dimorpha, which are serious pests in several fruits in Korea and are difficult to discriminate by species in their larval stage because of lack of a morphological character. To select immunological diagnostic markers, discriminating the larvae of C. sasakii from the G. molesta and G. dimorpha, RNA-Seq was performed for the larvae of the three insects. The 454 pyrosequencing generated 3,058-4,686 contigs for each three pest species, which assembled into 2,584-3,970 isotigs with average lengths of 829-1,244 bp. Functional annotation of the sequencing results generated 774 orthologs for the three pest species, and 12 isotigs were finally registered as candidate markers for species discrimination through bioinformatical screening, literature search, and gene expression study. The selected candidates include serine proteases, serpins, 27 kDa glycoprotein and storage protein with a constitutive gene expression in their larvae, pupae and adult stage.

Predatory gamasid mite (Acari: Mesostigmata) is living in soil and litter. They feed on nematode, collembolan and insect larvae. This research compared diversity of gamasid mite in organic and conventional apple orchards. Soil samples were collected in spring season of 2011 to 2012 (5 for each orchard system). Fifteen families, 54 species and 15 families, 50 species were collected from organic and conventional orchards, respectively. In total 18 families and 77 species of gamasid mite were collected. Shannon Diversity was average 2.5 in organic orchard and 2.3 in conventional orchard. Major dominant species was Eugamasus fujisanus (Parasitidae) in organic orchard and Uropoda hokkaidoensis (Uropodidae) in conventional orchard. Parasitidae and Uropodidae were preferred in soil surface, large soil pores and decaying organic material litter. Future, more research on composition of gamasid mite, biotic and abiotic factors in orchard system are demanded.

Soil biodiversity is important for proper functioning of soil ecosystem. Soil microarthropods play roles in cycling of nutrients and decomposition of organic matter. We compared the diversity of oribatid mites in organically and conventionally managed apple orchards. Sampling were done from 10 orchards; 5 from organic and 5 from conventional, in spring season of 2011 and 2012. Species richness and abundance were higher in conventional (25, 4,222/m2) than organic orchard (21, 1,906/m2). Diversity index was higher in conventional than organic orchard. Common dominant species present in orchards were Perglumna duplicata nipponica and Scheloribates latipes. Only observed in apple orchards were Pilogalumna tenuiclava, Protoribates agricola, Hypochthonius luteus, Punctoribates manzanoensis, Punctoribates sphaericus, and Scheloribates corpusculum. In organic orchard, Suctobelbella naginata and Tectocepheus cuspidentatus were only present. Pergalumna altera, Galumna longiporosa, and Protoribates lophotrichus, Galumna sp. were found only in conventionally managed apple orchard. Further study on the functional aspects and association with other soil biotic and abiotic factors are demanding.

The potato leafminer fly, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a polyphagous pest attacking many vegetables and ornamental plants. We found L. huidobrensis were infesting potato crop in Miryang and Goreyong in 2011. Five potato (Solanum tuberosum) varieties (Ghowun, Daeri, Sumi, Chubeak, and Seohong) were tested for the preference of L. huidobrensis. In the olfactormeter bioassay, leafminers chose the Ghowun variety most (55%) followed by Sumi (18%). Remaining 3 varieties were chosen less than 10%. When leafminers choose and move toward the preferred variety, movement speed was faster. In the plant choice test in the laboratory, as expected, Ghowon was the most chosen but the choice of the other 4 varieties was not different. The same pattern as found in the plant choice test conducted in the greenhouse. Feeding frequency was the highest in Ghowun variety followed by Sumi > Daeri = Seohong > Chubaek in the laboratory test but Ghowun > Sumi > Chubaek > Daeri = Seohong in greenhouse test. When measured in 2 weeks after release, plant damage rates and number of mines were in congruence to the preference results. Further study is needed to clarity the factor responsible for the choice of the plants and also the ways to manage this new pest.

경북의 자두 주요 생산지인 경산시와 의성군내 8개의 자두과원을 선정하여, 2010년과 2011년에 주요 심식나방류인 복숭아순나방, 복숭아순나방붙이, 복숭아심식나방의 발생상을 성페로몬 트랩을 이용하여 조사하였다. 또한 경산지역에서는 과수원 내부와 외부에서 포획된 개체수 자료를 이용하여 내외부 발생량을 비교하였다. 경산에서 복숭아순나방과 복숭아순나방붙이 발생은 의성보다 약 1주일 정도 빠르게 나타났다. 복숭아순나방은 3월 하순에 발생을 시작하여, 4월 하순 최성기를 이루었으며, 이후 세대는 6월 중순, 7월 중순, 8월 중순에 성충 최성기를 보였다. 반면 복숭아심식나방은 두 지역간의 차이가 없었으며, 6월 상순에 발생을 시작하여 9월 중순까지 2-3회의 발생 최성기를 보였다. 복숭아심식나방의 경우 2010년은 전형적인 2회 최성기를 보였으나 2011년에는 3회 최성기를 보였다. 연간 복숭아순나방, 복숭아순나방붙이, 복숭아심식나방의 발생량비는 경산지역에서 63-47:16-35:20-18%였고, 의성지역은 51-46:18-13:31-36%로 나타났다. 복숭아순나방과 복숭아순나방붙이의 경우 과수원 내부와 외부에서 포획량의 차이는 없었다.

This study was conducted to estimate temperature effect on the hatching success of Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM), Lymantria dispar (Linne) in different temperature conditions (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35℃). The egg masses were collected during winter season and stored in cold room (4℃). The hatching rate was evaluated from the number of hatched caterpillar for period of 50 days. As a result, hatching rates were 89.80, 92.94, 95.51, 62.02, and 18.35% at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35℃, respectively. The optimal temperature on the hatching success of AGM egg might be 20~25℃.

Currently, honeybee colonies are not stable and suffer from the infection of pathogens, affecting the pollination. For the alternatives to this difficulty, Bombus terrestris has been imported and used for pollination in agricultural fields. Although imported insects for pollination are very useful, the potential risk exposing to novel pathogens has been raised. To assess the risk primarily, we designed and synthesized PCR primers for detection of pathogens and parasites in B. terrestris. The samples were obtained from companies importing B. terrestris or field collections and genomic DNAs not showing physical shearing were purified. PCR for detection of pathogen- or parasite-specific gene revealed several DNA fragments were amplified in expected molecular size including Kashmir Bee Virus, Varroa jacobsoni, V. rindereri, Acarapis woodi and Aspergillus flavus. These amplified DNA fragments are in the process of cloning for DNA sequencing to confirm the target gene amplification. We also have plans to optimize the PCR conditions for each amplified target gene and try to develop biomarkers for diagnosis.

Insects in temperate climate zones are challenged to endure harsh temperature regimes and the absence of food resources during winter. Many insects overwinter in diapause at different sites. The overwintering sites differ according to the insect species. The study was conducted to investigate the overwintering sites between the two orchard systems for the Grapholita molesta larvae. Overwintering sites of Grapholita molesta were found different between apple grafting systems. More individuals favored the side branches and main bottom trunk as overwintering sites in big tree system (M26) and in dwarf grafting high density system (M9) respectively. There was no significant different between M9 and M26 cultivars in the relative proportion of larvae. However, significant differences were found in the interaction between the overwintering sites and the two M9 and M26 cultivar orchard systems. The natural mortality from the field was estimated as 22.1% and 18.3% from dwarfing, high density orchards and the big tree orchard systems respectively. This study provides valuable information and guidelines to understand the major overwintering sites within different orchard systems for scheduling management actions against spring adult moths population emergence.

Liriomyza leafminers comprise a pest group that causes both considerable economic losses and serious quarantine problems. In recent years, the pest status of Liriomyza sp. has changed in Korea, as well as other areas of the world. Potato field survey was conducted in 157 farmers’ field from five provinces during 2011 and 2012. Foliar insect monitoring was done within 5 minutes walking distance by visual inspection. Leafminer fly and parasitoids were collected by sweeping net (10 sweeps/field) in same field in each time. Overall, potato insect species collected constituted of 7 orders, 22 families and 42 species. Aphis gossypii was most abundant species in all the locations. However, Potato tuber moth, Pthorimaea operculella was only dominated species in Boesong (Jellanam-do). L. huidobrensis was the first record infesting the potato in Korea. Liriomyza huidobrensis was only found from Miryang (Gyeongsangnam-do) and Goreyong (Gyeongsangbuk-do). There is a rich complex of parasitoid species; 18 species of parasitoids were recorded. Most parasitoid species (11) belong to the Eulophidae family. The most abundant species were the ectoparasitoid, Diglyphus isaea and endoparasitoid, Ganaspidiumsp. The number and diversity of parasitoid species in potato crop in Korea provides insight into the development of integrated management strategies of leafminer pests.

Soil harbours great biodiversity and governs the ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and energy flow. Among groups of mesofauna, soil mites; oribatids, gamasids, prostigmatids, astigmatids are hyper-diverse and abundant in soil ecosystem. This renders the use of soil mite assemblage for biological indicator of the ecosystem health. Gamasida are the main predator among the soil mesofauna, playing a crucial role in maintaining the soil food web and contribute significant influence on material cycling and energy flow. Several concepts of environmental assessment using soil mites, specially Oribatid mite and Gamasid mites have been proposed, but not quite applied yet. Examples are the indexes of conventional community analysis, Aoki’s index of oribatid mites and maturity index of gamasid mites, We have collected soil mites from diverse ecosystems; natural forests, disturbed forests, perennial tree orchards, and annul farming fields. Using those data, here we present some of the results on environmental assessment of the habitats.

Biological invasion is becoming more important disturbance factor to the structure and function of ecosystem as well as to the bio-industry such as apiculture. Since the invasion of the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax Buysson, 1905 into Busan port, the southeastern part of Korea in 2003, gradual spread of the hornet was observed. The rate of spread was estimated as 12.4 Km/yr, which was 5.6 times slower than that from France, 67.3 Km/yr. The diffusion coefficient (D) is still in increasing phase, implying the greater risk of spread. The Korean population was homologous to Zhejiang population of China implying the possible invasion source. It has a great potential to harm the Korean beekeeping industry and the ecosystem through the competition with the similar guild, the other 10 spcies of Vespa in Korea. Among those, smaller sized hornets such as Vespa analis or V. simillima simillam seemed under serious impact. Community structure of Vespa was different before and after the invasion. After V. velutina invasion, the survey on 2010 from Gyeongnam province showed 67% of V. velutina and reduced proportion of the smaller size hornets such as V. analis, V. crabro and V. simillima simillima compared to the bigger sized hornets such as V. mandarinia or V. ducalis. Also because of the nesting urban area, public education and involvement are requested for protection against the hornet’s aggresiveness and also for monitoring the distribution and population expansion. Further research and public network would mitigate the potential risks.

Papilio xuthus is known as the Asian swallowtail, Chinese yellow swallowtail, or as the Xuthus swallowtail. It overwinters in pupae stage. The study was conducted to investigate the temperature effect on adult emergence of overwintering P. xuthus pupae at four different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C) with photoperiod 10:14(L:D). The lower developmental thresholds of female, male and both sexes combined were 9.71, 11.03, and 10.49°C, respectively. Developmental period of overwintering pupae to adults decreased with increasing temperature between 15 and 30°C. Degree-days for adult emergence to female, male and both sexes combined were 227.27, 175.44, and 200.80DD, respectively. The relationship between the developmental rate and temperature was fitted by linear and five nonlinear developmental rate models (Logan 6, Lactin 1, 2 and Briere 1, 2). The variation of overwintering pupae development was described by the two-parameter Weibull distribution model. The adult emergence of overwintering P. xuthus pupae in spring can be explained and predicted by using developmental rate models and developmental distribution model. The effect of climate change on phenology and distribution of P. xuthus may be presented by the model.

Papilio macilentus is the longest tail butterfly of Papilionidae found in Japan, China and Korea and has distinctive morphological differences between male and female. P .macilentus feeds on Zanthoxylum schinifolium and has three generations per year. The lower developmental threshold and thermal constant for adult emergence of P. macilentus overwintering pupae were estimated at four different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C) with photoperiod 10:14 (L:D). The lower developmental threshold of both sexes combined was 7.95°C. The development of overwintering pupae decreased with increasing temperature between 15 and 30°C. Thermal constant of both sexes combined was 251.26DD. The relationship between the developmental rate and temperature was fitted by linear and five nonlinear developmental rate models (Logan 6, Lactin 1, 2 and Briere 1, 2). The development of overwintering P. macilentus pupae was described by the two-parameter Weibull distribution model. The temperature-dependent adult emergence model of P. macilentus developed in this study could be used to predict the full-cycle phenology model of P. macilentus and applied to understand the effects of climate change on the emergence distribution of overwintering pupae.

Grapholita dimorpha is a new pest of apple, pear and plum in Japan and Korea as well. Although G. dimorpha was reported as a multi-voltine insect with four generations per year, the phenology is not fully known in Korea. We present a model to predict the spring occurrence of G. dimorpha adults based on the relationship between the cumulative proportion of G. dimorpha adult catches and accumulated degree-days. Five different distribution models were applied and the selection was made based on the statistical information criteria (AICC and BIC). Model validation was performed with the field data of the male moth catches in sex pheromone-baited traps of two apple production regions (Chungju and Geochang) of Korea in 2011. Model predictions of the dates for the cumulative 50% male moth catches were within five days variation. Because G. dimorpha has a feeding habit of boring inside the fruit the management practice of G. dimorpha should apply on egg and neonate larval stage. The management strategy of G. dimorpha in spring might be improved by the model.

Soil microarthropods play important role in soil food web and contribution the nutrient cycling and soil system health. Among diverse taxa, gamasid mite Acari: Gamasida) is considered as a top predator group in soil ecosystem. We compared the soil microarthropod communities focused on gamasid mite species composition. Soil samples were collected Mt. Cheonju in bukmyeon, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. On the mountain hill, contagious pine tree (Pinus densiflora) and oak tree (Quercus acutissima) stand were sampled while the bamboo tree (Phyllostachy bambusoides) stand is located in ap. 200m below from the mountain hill. Soil microarthopods abundance was high in bamboo and pine tree stand, but lower in oak tree stand. The dominance order was oribatid mite, collembolan and gamasid mites in pine tree stand, oribatid mite, insects, and gamasid in oak tree stand while in bamboo stand, oribatid mites were out numbered (75%) followed by collembolan. Collected gamasid mites were 146 individuals and 34 species. Species richness and diversity was highest in oak tree stand and lowest in bamboo stand. Cluster analysis showed highest similar in pine-oak stand to bamboo stand. Dominant species were Holaspina dentatus (Parholaspididae) in pine stand, Gamasus fujisanus, Veigaia sp in oak stand, and Gamasus fujisanus in bamboo stand.

The study was conducted to develop the full seasonal phenology model of G. molesta in pear orchard. G. molesta is a multi-voltine insect with four to five generations per year depending on temperature, food resources and geographic location. For precise model construction, information on temperature-dependent development and the distribution of developmental completion of overwinteirng and summer G. molesta population was used. The performance of model was based on single cohort population of G. molesta. The validation of model system was performed with the male moth catches in sex pheromone-baited traps of pear orchards in four pear production regions (Anseong, Icheon, Naju and Ulju), three apple production regions (Andong, Chungju and Geochang), and four plum orchards (Uiseong) of Korea in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The observed phenology of seasonal population of G. molesta was explained by our model system. The predicted dates for the cumulative 50% male moth catches per each generation were within seven days variation per each generation. The precise predictive model of G. molesta adult occurrence could help decision making and enhancing control efficacy.