The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of the low temperature atmospheric plasma device with needle tip designed for easy approach to the oral cavity and root canal against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The antibacterial activities evaluated by measuring clear zone of agar plate smeared with each bacteria after plasma treatment. To quantify antibacterial effects, dilution plate method was used. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for observation of changes in bacterial morphology. As treatment time of plasma increased, the clear zone was enlarged. The death rate was more than 99%. The SEM results showed that the globular shape of bacteria was distorted. These results suggest that needle tip plasma could be an innovative device for prevention of dental caries, and treatment of apical infection and soft tissue diseases.

Bean bug, Riptortus pedestris is an agriculturally serious pest in north eastern Asian countries, damaging to several legumes and fruit trees. Chemical pesticides have been largely used to control the pest but it encounters insecticide-resistance and environmental toxicity issues. Alternatively different mode of action and environmentally sound pest management system can be found in entomopathogenic fungal insecticides. Herein we developed a platform to optimize the fungal production to express their maximum virulence against bean bug, by focusing on solid culture system for thermotolerance, formulation to select effective surfactants to carry the fungal conidia on the cuticles, and relationship between environmental abiotic factors and fungal mortality. First to produce highly thermotolerance fungal conidia, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae isolates were cultured on several granular cereal substrates, which could be subjected to formulation process. Among the tested media, four media (millet, non-glutinous italian foxtail millet, glutinous italian foxtail millet, brown rice) were superior to the other grains in the spore production and thermotolerance. Next to efficiently deliver the fungal conidia on the cuticles of bean bug, total of six surfactant (CO-2.5, CO-12, LE-7, PE-61, TED-3 and Siloxane) was used to experiment. CO-12 was superior to the other surfactant in mortality of 100 ppm consistence. This work suggests that solid culture system and formulation and application should be seriously considered to reach an optimal level of mortality by inducing their maximum virulence.

Liriomyza leafminer flies comprise a pest group that causes both considerable economic losses and serious quarantine problems. To investigate Liriomyza spp. abundance and distribution along with natural enemies, we surveyed of leafminer (LM) species and its natural enemies (NE) on potato crop from 146 farmers’ field in the potato growing provinces during 2015. Sweeping (10 sweeps/ field) and visual inspection were employed within 5 minute-walking distance, and damaged leaflets (10 leaflets/ field) were collected in each field. Leafminer species were identified by morphological, and its NE was identified by morphological and molecular techniques. L. huidobrensis was the most dominant Liriomyza species. Distribution of L. huidobrensis on potato fields was expanding. Highest potato fields were infested with leafminer in southern parts of country. Highest rate (100%) field damage was recorded in Miryang, Namwon, Henam, and Boseong. Overall, NE species collected constituted of 4 families and 18 and 20 species in sweeping, and damaged samples respectively. There was a rich complex of parasitoid species including 20 species (13 species of Eulophidae family). The endoparasitoid, Braconid sp., Ganaspidium sp., and ectoparasitoid, Diglyphus isaea were dominant species in sweeping. While Diglyphus isaea, Hemiptarsenus varicornis, and the Braconid sp. were most dominant species collected from damaged samples. The number and diversity of parasitoid species in potato crop in Korea provides insight into the development of integrated control strategies of invasive LM pests in the field, and glasshouse crops.

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Camponotus atrox (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) that is distributed only in Korea. This genome is 16,540 bp in size, contains typical sets of genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs). The C. atrox A+T-rich region is the longest in the sequenced ants as 1,402 bp and is comprised of an identical tandem repeat consisting of six 100-bp copies and one 96-bp copy. A total of 315 bp of intergenic-spacer sequences were spread over 23 regions. An attempt to align spacer sequences in ants turned out that alignment was mostly feasible among congeneric species, with a substantial sequence divergence, indicating the potential of these sequences as congeneric molecular markers. The A/T content in first and second codon positions of PCGs are similar in ants including C. atrox (73.9 vs. 72.3% on average). Estimation of degree of genetic divergence (e.g. non-synonymous substitution rate) with an increased taxon sampling among hymenopteran superfamilies indicated the presence of different rates of divergence between the suborders Symphyta and Apocrita as has previously been reported. The C. atrox mt genome has a unique gene arrangement, trnI-trnM-trnQ at the A+T-rich region and ND2 junction (underline for inverted gene), possibly originated from tandem duplication of trnM-trnI, resulting in trnM-trnI-trnM-trnI-trnQ and loss of first trnM and second trnI, resulting in trnI-trnM-trnQ.

Saturnia (Rinaca) jonasii Butler, 1877 is distributed in Japan, including Tsushima Island and Taiwan, whereas S. boisduvalii Eversmann, 1846 is distributed in northern areas, such as China, Russia, and South Korea. In the present study we found that the specimens from Mt. Hallasan on Jejudo, a southern remote offshore island, were S. jonasii, rather than S. boisduvalii based on morphology, DNA barcode, and nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α) sequences. The major morphological differences between the two species included the shape of wing pattern elements of fore- and hindwings and male and female genitalia. A DNA barcode analysis of the sequences of the Jejudo specimens and S. boisduvalii, along with those of Saturnia species obtained from a public database showed a minimum sequence divergence of 4.26% (28 bp). A phylogenetic analysis also showed clustering of the Jejudo specimens with S. jonasii, separating S. boisduvalii (Bayesian posterior probability = 0.99). The EF-1α-based sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the two species from Jejudo Island and the Korean mainland showed the uniqueness of the Jejudo specimens from S. boisduvalii collected on the Korean mainland, indicating distribution of S. jonasii on Jejudo Island in South Korea, instead of S. boisduvalii.

The spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), originally distributed across a few Asian countries, including South Korea, has invaded North America and Europe, but is absent from Australia. In order to export the South Korean grape cultivar Campbell Early to Australia, its potential to serve as oviposition and development medium for SWD must first be determined. In this study, we determined the oviposition and development potential of SWD on Campbell Early, after elucidating the SWD life cycle and establishing an artificial diet-based mass-culturing system. An investigation of the life cycle under five temperature regimes (16, 19, 22, 25, and 28°C) showed that the durations of the egg, larval, and adult stages were shorten when temperature was increased from 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28°C, but pupal duration was shortest at 25°C and extended again at 28°C. A test of oviposition and development potential of SWD on Campbell Early grape clusters showed oviposition of 30.8 ± 6.8 eggs per cluster of injured grapes and 157.7 ± 16.2 eggs on a culture dish of artificial diet. However, in a similar experiment using uninjured grape clusters, only a single egg was deposited on the grape skin, which soon dried. In light of these results, newly harvested grapes left at vineyards during daily harvests are unlikely to serve as an oviposition and development medium for SWD, as long as the grapes remain uninjured.

Kentrochrysalis streckeri Staudinger, 1880 is distributed in Russia, Mongolia, China, and North Korea, whereas K. consimilis Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 has been known to occur South Korea and Japan. In the present study we found that the specimens from South Korea were K. streckeri, rather than K. consimilis based on morphology, DNA barcode, and nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α) sequences. The major morphological differences between K. streckeri and K. consimilis include the shape of wing pattern elements of fore- and hindwings and male and female genitalia. A DNA barcode analysis of the South Korean specimens and K. streckeri originated from Russia showed a maximum sequence divergence of only 0.659% (four bp), whereas the barcoding sequence of K. consimilis sequenced in this study and GenBank-registered sequence (JN678086), both of which originated from Japan showed the minimum sequence divergence of 2.965% (18 bp), indicating that the Korean specimens are, in fact, K. streckeri, instead of wrongly known K. consimilis. Phylogenetic analyses both by Bayesian Inference and maximum likelihood methods well supported the monophyly of South Korean specimens and Russian K. streckeri, excluding K. consimilis. The EF-1α-based sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the two species also supported the data from DNA barcode, indicating distribution of K. streckeri in South Korea, instead of K. consimilis.

In the present study, Cydia kamijoi Oku is newly recognized in korean insect fauna. This tortricid moth was first found damaging the cones of Abies koreana in Jeju Island 2014. The moth can be a serious insect pest on A. koreana because of high damage rate on the cones, up to 71% average. The genus Cydia now was 11 korean species including C. kamijoi. Regarding this species, some basic information such as collection records, morphological characters, and ecology were provided

This study was carried out to investigate insect community structure from different habitats. We performed day and night collection at three different habitats (mountain, coast and rural area) of island Deokjeok, island Soya and island Mungap from May to September in 2014. A total of 3,482 individuals of 725 species, 119 families belonging to 10 orders were collected and identified. A dominant species was Corymbia rubra (Cerambycidae) despite a very low percentage of the species among the catches. Results of ANOVA test showed a significant effect of habitats typeon species diversity. Also, combination of seasons and habitats types were significantly influential with species abundance and species diversity. Indicator species analysis (ISA) result identified 121 significant (p < 0.05) indicator species; one species for the habitats cluster, 93 species for the season cluster and 27species for combination of habitats with seasons.

Osteonecrosis is defined as non-vital bone tissue as a result of abnormal process of osseous healing, and is caused by several reasons such as infection, radiation, and medication. Osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis, and medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) which have necrotic bone in common are confused clinically due to similar symptoms and radiographic findings, and are difficult to diagnose definitively. Because each disease represents a separate clinical progress and requires a different treatment approach, it is very important to distinguish each disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the histopathologic features of osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis, MRONJ and to understand their different pathogenesis.

An insect faunal survey was carried out to investigate insect community structure along the vegetation community to monitor insect species in forest ecosystem. We performed day and night collections from June to August along three vegetation communities of Is. Nam-hae in 2014: the first stand with Pinus thunbergii, the second P. thunbergii with Quercus serrata and the third P. thunbergii with various Quercus species. In total 2,259 individuals of 532 species, 99 families, 13 orders are identified. Cluster Analyses (CA) showed that all three vegetation communities were relatively similar between vegetation community types. According to indicator species analysis (ISA) result, nine significant indicator species were identified (p < 0.05); five species were found to be affected by the vegetation cluster and four species the month cluster.

Multiple starters consisting of two Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains (MJ1-4 and EMD17), Pichiafarinosa SY80, and Rhizopus oryzae were used for Doenjang making. Bacillus strains were selected based on their abilities to inhibit toxinogenic fungi and Bacillus cereus, fibrinolytic activity, and their ability to confer good flavor to Cheonggukjang. P. farinosa SY80 and R. oryzae, previously isolated from soy sauce, were selected because they were not inhibited by two bacilli. Doenjang was prepared by inoculation of multiple starters (A1 Doenjang). Control Doenjang was prepared by inoculation of B. subtilis KACC 16750 (Natto strain) and Aspergillus oryzae KCCM 60166 (A2 Doenjang). Another control (A3 Doenjang) was prepared by inoculation of microorganisms present in rice straw. Doenjang samples were fermented for 70 days at 20℃. pH of 3 samples decreased from the initial value of 6.4 to 5.8~6.0 and titratable acidity (TA) increased from 0.6 to 1.1~1.3. The amount of amino-type nitrogen increased during fermentation. There were slight differences in moisture, crude-protein, and crude-fat contents after 70 days. Contamination of fungi was observed only in A3 Doenjang and B. cereus was not detected from all 3 samples. A1 Doenjang showed the highest fibrinolytic activity and A2 Doenjang the second. These results indicate that Doenjang made with carefully selected starters was functionally improved and microbially more safe.

To date there have been only two species in genus Pogonus and subgenus Europhilus of genus Agonum recognized from Korean insect fauna: Pogonus itoshimaensis Habu, 1954 and Agonum (Europhilus) bellicum Lutshnik, 1934. In the present study one additional species for each genus is newly recognized from Korea: Pogonus (Pogonus) japonicus Putzeys, 1875 and Agonum (Europhilus) gratiosum nipponicum Habu, 1972. A key to adults, redescription, diagnostic photos of adult and male and female genitalia are provided.