We investigated primary ecological characters, such as life cycle and morphology of the lawn cutworm, Spodoptera depravata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is one of the most economically damaging pests to grasses. For larval culture the turfgrass, Zoysia japonica, was provided as a feed source at 25℃ and 60±5% humidity. Development period of each stage was as follows: 4.11±0.19 days for eggs, 25.17±3.02 for larvae, 8.80±0.28 for pupae and 7.57±0.95 for adults. Larval stages continued to 7th instar and this result contrasts to pre-existing data, which indicate 6th instar in S. depravata. Developmental period of each instar of S. depravata ranged from the minimum of 2.1 days to the maximum of 4.81 days, with the 7th instar longest. Correlation analysis between body length and head capsule width of each instar showed a significant correlation between the two measures. Pupal colors were changed from the light brown and green right after pupation to dark brown as pupal cuticle hardens. Wing length of adults in both sexes was similar, but forewing of male had obvious outer line and eyespot with dark gray-brown background, whereas that of female had less obvious in these characters, with light gray-brown background. Pre-period of eggs deposition was 2 days, oviposition period was 4.6 days, average fecundity per female was about 419 eggs, and rate of hatching was about 83%.

파리목(Diptera) 집파리과(Muscidae)에 속하는 토마토어리줄기집파리(Atherigona orientalis)는 열대·아열대 지역에서 분포하며 고추, 토마토 등 기주 특이성이 없어 여러 식물에 흔히 발견되는 해충이다. 현재까지 우리나라 작물에 피해는 보고되지 않았으나 국외 사례로 볼 때 우리나라 작물에서도 큰 피해를 유발할 것으로 예상되어 식물방역법상 관리해충으로 지정하여 관리하였다. 2016년 경상북도 의 성군에서 첫 국내 분포가 보고되었다. 우리는 이 종의 지역별 분포 현황 등을 확인하기 위하여, 2017년 4월부터 10월까지 전국 각지에 트랩을 설치하여 분포 조사를 실시하였다. 조사결과 총 2,601개체가 전국적으로 조사되어 국내에 널리 분포하고 있음이 확인되었다.

The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), invaded into South Korea in 2003. Currently, V. velutina is distributed throughout South Korean regions,. A genetic trait of invasive species provides important data for environmental risk assessment. In this study, we analysed the genetic variation of the V. velutina among the populations of South Korea and other foreign countries using partial sequences of mitochondrial COI, CytB and 16S rRNA. We further developed intergenic spacers (IGS2 and IGS3) to detect genetic variation among Korean populations. Each single haplotype was recovered from the domestic V. velutina from each coding gene sequence. Korean individuals shared the haplotype with that of Japan and China. Phylogenetic analysis (excluding 16S rRNA) using available sequences and ours showed the presence of two groups: the Indonesia and Malaysia group and another group (Korea, Japan, China, France, Vietnam and Thailand). The newly developed IGS2 and IGS3 markers resulted in each seven and four haplotypes, providing better resolution than coding gene sequences. Analysis of Molecular Variance using the combined sequences of IGS2 and IGS3 showed that the majority of variance was allocated to each population and only minority of variance is allocated to among-populations. This result may indicate that the V. v. nigrithorax invaded in Korea shows a single panmictic population and this possibly suggest that Korean population may have originated from small founder individuals.

All aspects of hosts’ life are affected not only by symbiotic bacterial community but also endosymbionts, such as physiological function, mating preference and fitness. Wolbachia, one of the most common endosymbionts, known as a manipulator of host sex ratio, may also have a huge effects on other symbionts. Here, we assessed the effects of Wolbachia on the diversity and structure of other symbiotic microbial communities in six ant species by using next-generation sequencing. Our results show that the diversity of the symbiotic microbial communities between Wolbachia-positive species and negative species is not different. However, according to the Wolbachia infection, dominant symbiotic microbes of each host species were different as well as the composition of the overall symbiotic microbial community. Thus, this study suggests that, as Wolbachia have an important role in shaping microbiome of hosts, endosymbiont infection status deserves special consideration in studying microbiome.

Haplodiploid sex determination is prevalent in nature comprising about 25% of higher taxa. Due to its uniqueness, selfish entity may relatively easily slip in the system. Here, I will introduce 3 different types of selfish entities. First, some microorganisms are known to distort sex ratio in favor of their own prosperity. Second, a genetic fragment, called paternal sex ratio chromosome, is classified as the extremely selfish element so far in haplodiploid. Finally, haploid genome itself can evolve selfishness. The first two result in skewed sex ratio, and the last in completely new genetic relatedness. I will also discuss their evolutionary significance and potential utilization in controlling pest populations.

Acinetospora asiatica and Botrytella reinboldii are reported as two new records from S. Korea based on morphological studies and molecular analyses. A. asiatica is mainly characterized by the presence of sparsely branched uniseriate filaments with diffused meristematic zones, the formation of crampons at right angles, and the formation of plurilocular sporangia on both prostrate and erect filaments. B. reinboldii is characterized by the presence of irregularly alternating branched uniseriate filaments attached by rhizoids, and single or clustered plurilocular sporangia with a single opening. Molecular analyses of rbcL gene revealed that A. asiatica and B. reinboldii are placed within each clade of Acinetospora and Botrytella, respectively.

The morphology, anatomy and reproduction (tetra/bisporic and male) of Lithothamnion japonicum Foslie was studied, using holotype material and materials collected from Korea. Lithothamnion japonicum is characterized based on the presence of encrusting, warty to fruticose thallus, branched or unbranched short and cylindrical protuberances, conical shaped spermatangial conceptacles, branched (dendroid) spermatangial systems formed on floor, walls, and roof of conceptacle chamber, cylindrical shaped spermatangial conceptacle canal, 9-10 cell layered spermatangial conceptacle roof, raised tetra/bisporangial conceptacles without rims, flattened tetra/ bisporangial conceptacle pore plate, 16-50 pores on each pore plate, 6-8 rosette cells surrounded by each pore, pore canal lining filaments composed of tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof, and buried senescent tetra/bisporangial conceptacles completely infilled with relatively large and irregularly arranged calcified sterile cells. In this study, we report a new record of Lithothamnion japonicum from Korean coasts.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is a risk factor for skin damage resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) to improve its biological activities using a three-step steaming process. We investigated the protective effects of PG and steamed PG extracts on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against UVB radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the underlying mechanisms. The antioxidant potential of the PG extracts was evaluated by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity. ABTS and DPPH were shown by the 0, 30, and 70% ethanol extracts of 2S-PG and 3S-PG (IC50, 28~45 and 27~30 μg/mL, respectively). Treatment of UVB-irradiated cells with steamed PG (25~400 μg/mL) did not affect their viability. The streamed PG extract suppressed UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, streamed PG extract reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in UVB-irradiated HDF, regulating nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression. These findings suggest that steamed PG extract may be potentially effective against inflammation associated with UVB-induced oxidation stress.

Free-standing electrodes of CuO nanorods in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are developed by synthesizing porous CuO nanorods throughout CNT webs. The electrochemical performance of the free-standing electrodes is evaluated for their use in flexible lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The electrodes comprising CuO@CNT nanocomposites (NCs) were characterized by charge-discharge testing, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance measurement. These structures are capable of accommodating a high number of lithium ions as well as increasing stability; thus, an increase of capacity in long-term cycling and a good rate capability is achieved. We demonstrate a simple process of fabricating free-standing electrodes of CuO@ CNT NCs that can be utilized in flexible LIBs with high performance in terms of capacity and cycling stability.

동남아시아에 발생하던 등검은말벌은 최근 국내 뿐만 아니라 프랑스와 일본, 유럽 전역으로 확산되어 전 세계 양봉 산업에 극심한 피해를 주고 있다. 등검은말벌을 방제하기 위해 다양한 방제 방법들이 연구되고 있으며, 그 중 말벌 유인제에 대해 국제적으로 많은 연구가 진행되어 왔으나 이 역시 지속적인 개발이 필요한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 시판 유인제와 최근 (주)다목에코텍에서 새롭게 개발한 신규 개발 유인제에 대한 효능 검정을 수행하였 고 양봉장에 출현하는 국내 발생 말벌속의 발생양상을 조사하였다. 담양 1개소와 곡성 2개소에 기존 유인제과 신규 유인제를 장착한 포획기를 각 3쌍씩 설치하여 2016년 9월부터 11월말까지 주 1~2회 관찰하였다. 그 결과 국내 발생 말벌속 중 등검은말벌(7,787 개체)이 가장 많이 포획되었고, 다음으로 장수말벌, 말벌, 좀말벌, 꼬마장수말벌, 털보말벌 순으로 포획되었다. 두 유인제의 포획력 검정 결과, 신규 개발 유인제가 통계적으로 유의하게(P < 0.01) 등검은말벌 포획력이 높음을 보였다.

Honeybee (Apis mellifera) egg-yolk protein vitellogenin (Vg) plays roles in immunity, antioxidation, and life span beyond reproduction, but it also acts as an allergen Api m 12 in venom. Here we established antimicrobial and antioxidant roles of honeybee Vg in the body and venom. Using the cDNA encoding Vg identified from Asiatic honeybee (A. cerana) workers, recombinant A. cerana Vg (AcVg) protein of approximately 180 kDa was produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells. In A. cerana worker bees, AcVg was expressed in the fat body and venom gland and was present in the secreted venom. AcVg induced structural damage in microbial cell walls via binding to microbial surfaces and exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. AcVg protected mammalian and insect cells against oxidative damage through direct shielding of cell membranes. Interestingly, AcVg exhibited DNA protection activity against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the transcript level of AcVg was upregulated in the fat body, but not in the venom gland, of worker bees with antimicrobial peptides and antioxidant enzymes in response to microbial infection and oxidative stress. Our data indicate that AcVg is involved in innate immunity upon infection and in a defense system against ROS, supporting a crucial role of honeybee Vg as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in the body and venom.