Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC50 values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9 g m-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC50 value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0 g m-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

As a part of the short-period variability survey (SPVS) at Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observa- tory, we obtained time-series BV CCD images in the region of the open cluster NGC 1039 (M34). The observations were performed for 22 nights from July 29, 2008 to September 26, 2010. We also made LOAO observations for 10 days from September 18, 2009 to October 30, 2010 to confirm the small variabilties of δ Scuti-type variable stars. In this paper we presented the observational properties of 28 variable stars found in the region. They are seven δ Scuti-type variable stars, two Doradus-type variable stars, four- teen eclipsing binary stars and five semi-long periodic or slow irregular variables, respectively. Only three variables were listed in the GCVS and the rest are newly discovered ones. We have performed multiple- frequency analysis to determine pulsation frequencies of the δ Scuti-type and ɤ Doradus-type variable stars, using the discrete Fourier transform and linear least-square fitting methods. We also have derived the periods and amplitudes of 12 eclipsing binaries from the phase fitting method, and presented the light curves of all variable stars.