This study focused on the genomic analysis of Anopheles kleini and Anopheles pullus, both vectors of vivax malaria within the Anopheles Hyrcanus group. Using Illumina NovaSeq600 and Oxford Nanopore platforms, we identified 126 and 116 contigs, along with 40,420 and 32,749 genes from An. kleini and An. pullus, respectively. The assembled genome sizes were 282 Mb for An. kleini and 247 Mb for An. pullus, which are within a similar range to the sizes previously estimated by digital PCR (249 Mb and 226 Mb). We are currently also estimating the genome sizes of other Anopheles spp. and manually curating key genes determining vectorial capacity.

Parasites have co-evolved with their host for a long period of time, resulting in unique parasitic systems tailored to each host species. This makes them suitable for research on physiological function control through cross-species molecules like miRNA. The body louse, a vector of bacterial pathogens, is particularly valuable as a model insect due to their frequent feeding on human blood, which results in the continuous ingestion of human-derived miRNA and injection of salivary gland-derived miRNA into the human body. In this study, we conducted miRNA sequencing on body lice with mixed stages and identified 105 miRNAs, including 50 novel miRNAs. Sequence analysis of human miRNAs remaining in body lice and the functional analysis of these miRNAs are in progress.

Six mosquito species in the Anopheles Hyrcanus group are known as vectors responsible for transmitting vivax malaria in South Korea. In this study, seasonal dynamics of Anopheles Hyrcanus group species and knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in malaria-endemic sites, Paju and Gimpo, were monitored over two years. In August 2023, all six species were observed simultaneously in one of the Paju collecting sites, and kdr mutations were newly identified in all species except Anopheles kleini. Although Anopheles pullus was revealed as a relatively resistant species among five species populations without kdr mutation via bioassays, there were no critical differences in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel sequence. These findings suggest variability in pyrethroid resistance mechanisms among Anopheles Hyrcanus Group species.

Medically significant indoor/ectoparasitic insect populations, including bed bugs and head lice, have developed considerable resistance to insecticides due to limited introduction of new genetic traits and the absence of an overwintering barrier. In contrast, outdoor pests like Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes exhibit fluctuating resistance patterns, likely influenced by factors such as overwintering barriers and relatively wider open habitats. Mosquitoes also face selection pressure from diverse sources beyond public health insecticides unlike bed bugs or head lice. Understanding different factors driving resistance among pests is essential for effective resistance management.

The Varroa mite, Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite that afflicts honey bees, has become increasingly resistant to acaricides like fluvalinate due to its widespread use. The target site insensitivity mechanism, mediated by the L925V/M/I mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel, plays a major role in resistance. Additionally, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (Cyp450s) appear to function as a metabolic resistance factor; however, no Cyp450-mediated resistance mechanism has been reported to date. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Cyp450s associated with fluvalinate resistance. A synergistic bioassay confirmed the involvement of Cyp450s in conferring tolerance or resistance to fluvalinate. Correlation analysis between mortality data and the expression levels of Cyp450 genes led to the identification of several candidates that may play a crucial role in fluvalinate resistance. Analysis of tissue distribution patterns revealed that these genes were most abundantly expressed in the cuticle and synganglion. This suggests that, despite their relatively low expression level, they may play a critical role in protecting the target site from fluvalinate due to its predominant expression in neuronal tissues. Functional analysis, in conjunction with baculovirus expression, demonstrated that fluvalinate has high inhibition rates against the recombinant candidate Cyp450s, suggestive of their strong interaction with fluvalinate. We discussed the potential utilization of their expression levels as a molecular marker for diagnosing metabolic resistance in field-collected Varroa mites.

A 13-year-old mixed dog was referred to the animal medical center, Gyeongsang National University. Lung masses were diagnosed at the left cranial and caudal lobes through diagnostic imaging, and consequently, left pneumonectomy was performed using a self-cutting linear endoscopic stapler. The pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchus of each lung lobe were sealed and resected at once, and any air leakage or bleeding was not observed after the surgery. Compared to the conventional ligation method, the self-cutting linear endoscopic stapler has the advantage of significantly reducing the operation time and enabling simple and reliable sealing.

To identify and compare the venom components and expression patterns of some bees/wasps, venom gland-specific transcriptome analyses were conducted for 14 Aculeate bees/wasps. Most of the allergens and pain-producing factors showed extremely high expression levels in social wasps, implying that social wasps have evolved to use venom to defend the colony against intruders. Acid phosphatase and tachykinin, which are known as allergens and neurotoxic peptides, were found with high frequencies in the venom glands of solitary wasps. This suggests that solitary wasps might use their venom for catching and preserving prey. In the venom glands of bumblebees, little or no transcripts of major allergens or pain producing factors were identified, implying that bumblebees venoms are relatively less toxic than those of social or solitary wasps. Taken together, the differential expression patterns of venom genes in some Aculeate bees/wasps implies that bees/wasps have unique groups of highly expressed venom components, which appear to have evolved in response to both ecological and behavioral influences.

Mosquitoes are primary medical insect pests due to their diseases transmission as vectors. In Korea, the insecticide-resistant populations of disease vector mosquito species, such as Anopheles sinensis, Culex pipiens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus, have constantly increased. Thus, management of insecticide resistance to major insecticides including pyrethroids and organophosphates is required for more efficient control of resistant populations. In this study, the quantitative sequencing (QS) protocols were established to detect the frequencies of three mutations (the L1014F on voltage sensitive sodium channel and the G119S and F331W on acetylcholinesterase 1) that are associated with either pyrethroids or organophosphates. Based on the QS protocol using newly designed non-polymorphic primers, resistance allele frequencies (RAFs) were estimated in field populations of An. sinensis, Cx. pipiens and Cx tritaeniorhynchus collected from an identical site in Korea. The dynamics of each resistance allele frequency over time in the same populations were also evaluated.

The hypopharyngeal gland (HPG) of the honeybee worker produces royal jelly (RJ) and has a developmental cycle closely related to the division of labor. In this study, we investigated to compare the HPG acini diameter of differently aged worker bees with high royal jelly producing colony (HRC) or less producing colony (LRC). Additionally, we also evaluated whether the fresh weight of the head is a reliable indicator of the developmental status of HPG. The HRC showed a significantly higher RJ production about two-times as compared with those of the LRC. We measured the HG-diameters on days 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15. The microscopic analysis revealed that the acini size of the HRC was significantly larger than the LRC. In addition, the acini diameter of HRC was 15% longer than the LRC on the first day after emerging. It was shown that the fastest development during 3 days which is preparing for nurse the brood. The HPG acini diameters increased in both colonies in a similar fashion until day 12 and then decreased. We also compared the fresh head weight of the experimental colonies, differences were similar to the development of HPG. Therefore, high royal jelly production may have a positive correlation between HPG acini size and the fresh head weight.

벼메뚜기는 분류학적으로 메뚜기목(Orthoptera), 메뚜기과(Acrididae)에 속하는 곤충으로 작물에 피해를 주는 해충으로 인식하고 있지만 예로부터 단백질 보충을 위하여 채집하여 튀기거나 볶음요리 로 이용해 왔다. 벼메뚜기는 갈색거저리, 쌍별귀뚜라미 등과 함께 식품공전에 등록되어 있으나 1년 1세대로 가을철에 채집하여 이용하는 실정으로 공급확대에 한계가 있다. 최근 우리나라에서 벼메뚜기를 사육하고자 하는 농가와 다양한 용도로 가공을 통해 이용하려는 수요가 점차 증가하고 있으나 연중사육기술이 개발되지 않아 대량사육하는 농가가 거의 없는 실정이다. 이에 벼메뚜기의 연중대량사육기술 뿐만 아니라 인공사료 및 자동화 사육시설 개발에 따른 생산비 절감 기술 개발이 필요한 실정이다. 벼메뚜기의 먹이로는 여름작물로 옥수수, 수단그래스, 겨울작물로 밀, 보리 등의 볏과작물이 있으며 많은 양의 생엽과 발육에 적합한 작물의 선발 및 볏과작물의 통곡실 가루를 이용한 인공사료의 개발로 먹이공급 부족 시 15~20일 급여 가능하며, 벼메뚜기 사육시설로 단독형, 연결형, 절충형 등의 사육시설을 개발하여 연결형 사육시설의 수확량과 생존율이 가장 높았으며, 예취 급이 노동력이 단독형의 16% 소요되었다.