This study aimed to develop the in vitro method using domestic commercial diets to estimate nutrient digestibility in dogs. The existing in vitro method were tested and compared with literature data to develop new in vitro method. The development of in vitro method progressed as follows: modification of pepsin solution to an activated form and supplementation with 1% lipase. All the in vitro method progressed to 4 hours of stomach simulation and 2 hours of small intestine simulation. In vivo digestibility was measured using the same diets as beagle dogs. The supplementation of lipase methods showed significantly improved (p < 0.05) DM, OM, and EE than the existing and modified pepsin solution methods. The correlation between in vitro and in vivo data in DM, OM, and EE digestibility was high (r2 = 0.889, 0.907, and 0.721, respectively), and the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data in CP and GE digestibility was medium (r2 = 0.681 and 0.536, respectively). The current in vitro method is similar to in vivo digestibility and helps potentially predict digestibility for dogs. In conclusion, this developed in vitro method suggests that it can help estimate the nutrient digestibility of dogs' diets without in vivo experiments.

The objective of this study was to determine the ultrasonication-assisted extraction conditions that maximize the DPPH radical scavenging activity of extracts obtained from the stems of Lespedeza bicolor Turcz through the application of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Before delving into the analysis of extraction conditions using the RSM model, we conducted efficiency validation of ultrasonication-assisted extraction and executed single-factor experiments for ethanol concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature. The data obtained from these single-factor experiments were employed to construct the Box-Behnken Design (BBD). In these results, in the single-factor experiments, it was evident that the parameters for ethanol concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature exhibited quadratic trends. The single-factor experiments allowed us to discern the trends for each parameter leading to the maximum antioxidant capacity, and this data was subsequently applied to the BBD. Following the completion of initial experiments, a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model was constructed based on Box-Behnken Design (BBD). According to the predictive model developed in this study, it was anticipated that performing ultrasonic-assisted extraction for 85.0412 minutes at an ethanol concentration of 32.573% and an extraction temperature of 51.5608°C will result in a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 79.7146%. The predictive results were statistically verified through a comparative analysis with actual measurements and ANOVA analysis, confirming the statistical significance of the model. The finding of this study underscore the significance of optimizing extraction conditions in the precise quantification of the antioxidant potential for economic advantages in both experimental and industrial contexts.

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) is a free-floating perennial herbaceous plant with rosette leaves and a stem. Although this plant multiplies and has adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems, it can be used for biological purification of polluted water and production of valuable substances as a traditional medicine. In this study, we report a protocol to establish an in vitro micropropagation method based on direct shoot organogenesis from stem explants. In media comprising two types of basal medium and different growth regulators, multiple shoot organogenesis was observed on stems. The micropropagation method was most effective on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium with 1 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid and 2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose, on which all explants produced multiple shoots. The shoots rooted spontaneously on solid half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) and SH media without growth regulators (1/2MSO and 1/2SHO). However, roots developed more vigorously in liquid media. Regenerated plants colonized and grew more rapidly in SH basal medium than in MS basal medium and produced 6–8 stolons within 2 weeks on 1/2SHO. In summary, we established a method for micropropagation in vitro through direct organogenesis of water lettuce, which shows the potential of water lettuce as a model aquatic plant for phytochemical and pharmacological research.

최근 국제적인 기후변화로 인해 다양한 산림해충들이 새로운 국가 또는 인접한 지역으로의 분포 확대가 증가 하고 있는 추세이다. 국내외의 대표적인 산림해충 분류군인 나무좀아과와 하늘소과에는 넓은 기주식물 범위를 가지고 있어 산림 생태계에 직간접적으로 피해를 야기하는 종들이 다수 포함되어 있다. 본 연구에서는 2023년 5월부터 10월까지 남북 접경지(강원 철원군, 양구군, 고성군) 내 혼합림에서 린드그렌 퍼넬 트랩(Lindgren funnel trap)을 활용하여 4가지 유인제(Ipsenol, Ipsedienol, Alpha-pinene, Monochamol) 조건별 나무좀류와 하늘소류의 유인효과와 시기별 발생 양상을 조사하였다. 연구 결과, 나무좀아과는 총 26속 45종 7,743개체, 하늘소과는 총 35속 42종 649개체를 확인하였다. 본 발표에서는 남북 접경지에서의 시기별, 지역별 나무좀류와 하늘소류 발생 양상과 4가지 유인제별 효과에 대한 결과를 보고한다.

본 연구는 검거세미밤나방(Agrotis ipsilon) 성페로몬 트랩에 혼재하여 유살되는 은무늬밤나방아과 형태적 분류와 동정법 수립을 위해, 날개 무늬의 형태계측학 분석을 실시하였다. 은무늬밤나방아과 개체는 2023년 11월 부터 12월까지 제주도 애월읍 일대에서 채집되었으며, 콩 해충으로 알려진 콩은무늬밤나방(Ctenoplusia agnata) 을 비롯하여, 다양한 농작물을 가해하는 것으로 알려진 붉은금무늬밤나방(Chrysodeixis eriosoma)의 수컷 성충이 포획되었다. 앞날개의 형태 및 무늬를 가지고 현장에서 쉽게 동정할 수 있는 형태적 특징을 도출하기 위하여, 각 성충 개체의 앞날개를 잘라 현미경 카메라로 촬영하고, 앞날개의 내횡선, 아외연선, 반점 크기 등 15개의 형질 을 측정하였다. 또한 각 형질 간의 상관관계를 분석하였으며 빈도분포를 통하여 두 종간 분리되는 형질을 파악하 였다. 최종적으로 다변량 분석법을 적용하여 두 집단이 어떻게 군집을 이루는지 분석하고, 날개형태만으로 붉은 금무늬밤나방과 콩은무늬밤나방을 구분할 수 있는 방안을 제시하였다.

The subgenus Oropeza Needham, 1908 (Diptera: Tipulidae: Dolichopeza) comprises 27 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Certain Oropeza species have been reported in neighboring countries of the Korean Peninsula―6 species in Japan, 3 species in China, and 4 species in Russia. Some researchers, such as Byers (1961) and Savchenko (1983), suggested that the distribution of Oropeza cover the East-Palearctic regions, including the entirety of the Korean Peninsula. However, previous records of Oropeza from the Korean Peninsula have not been accepted because of the lack of comprehensive species-level investigations in this region. In this study, we present a new record of the species Dolichopeza (Oropeza) satsuma (Alexander, 1918) in South Korea, with redescription and photographs: general habitus, wing veins, and male genitalia. This finding marks the rediscovery of the subgenus Oropeza in the Korean Peninsula.

Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, long from north to south, with temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates in different parts of the country. Based on the results of two years of insect surveys in the subtropical and tropical regions of Vietnam, we conducted a comparative analysis of the species diversity of the Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in the two survey areas, Bach Ma National Park and Protected Forest in the Vạn Xuân region. In addition, the host flora of the identified moths were analysed to determine the differences in host communities.

A taxonomic study was conducted on Spilonota Stephens, 1834 in Korea. As a result of the research based on materials from Incheon National University two new species; S. samseong Choi, Bae & Nasu, and S. laticucullusa Choi, Bae & Nasu from Korea. This study provides a brief description of the new Spilonota species in Korea, as well as comparisons with similar species and illustrations of adult and genital morphology.

Six new species are described that are members of the New Zealand endemic genus Adalmus Reitter (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Euplectitae: Trichonychini: Panaphantina): A. bullerensis sp. nov., A. kanierensis sp. nov., A. karekarensis sp. nov., A. mangamukaensis sp. nov., A. puberilumbus sp. nov., and A. serrilumbus sp. nov. In addition, Dalmisus Sharp is placed as a junior synonym of Adalmus (gen. syn.) and the species Dalmisus batrisodes Sharp, 1886, Plectomorphus longiceps Broun, 1913 and P. longipes Broun, 1912 are placed as junior synonyms of A. velutinus Reitter, 1885 spp. syn. Also, P. rugiceps Broun, 1921 is transferred to the genus Adalmus, comb. nov. Adalmus now holds eight species.

Calonecrinae represent a unique but small subfamily of Nitidulidae that is endemic to South Asia. Their habitats, the South Asian lowland forests, are under the imminent threat of degradation, posing a risk of rapid extinction for these species in their specific locales. Despite the looming threat to their existence, our understanding of this enigmatic group remains limited. We conducted an examination of museum and newly collected specimens, alongside a review of the literature, leading to the discovery of a new species, Calonecrus mindanaoensis, from Mindanao, Philippines. For the first time, the morphology of all immature stages of the Calonecrinae was described, with detailed photographs including SEM images. Additionally, their natural history was uncovered for the first time, revealing that all life stages are uniquely adapted to spending their entire life cycle within sticky resin. We re-evaluated the phylogenetic placement of the Calonecrinae by constructing a phylogenetic tree based on the mitochondrial genome. Calonecrinae are positioned within the Epuraeinae clade and show significant affinity with the genus Trimenus. Consequently, this study proposes reclassifying Calonecrinae as Calonecrini stat nov, an extremely modified tribe within the Epuraeinae.

Scathophagidae, commonly known as dung flies, is a small dipteran family of Muscoidea and is the sister group of Anthomyiidae. Currently, there are 373 described species distributed across 47 genera worldwide. Scathophagidae is subdivided into two subfamilies, Scathophaginae and Delininae. Notably, Delininae is characterized by tergite 6 short, bare, and firmly fused with syntergosternite 7+8. Delininae includes five genera and one uncertain genus with around 26 species described to date. Taxonomic instability within Delininae has been raised by notable inconsistencies, particularly evident in the classification of genera of Americina Malloch, 1923, Parallelomma Becker, 1894, and Leptopa Zetterstedt, 1838. These disparities necessitate a systematic reevaluation to rectify taxonomic uncertainties, acknowledging the nuanced variations introduced by different taxonomists. To address these taxonomic conundrums within Delininae, molecular approaches were employed, using three mitochondrial genes (16S, Cytb, COIb) and three nuclear genes (28S, Ef1a, Pol II). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted by maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods to elucidate the comprehensive phylogenetic relationships within Delininae. Particularly, this study includes previously unexplored genera, namely Neochirosia Malloch, 1917 and Micropselapha Becker, 1894, and uncertain genus Synchysa Vockeroth, 1987, encompassing all genera in Delininae. The incorporation of all taxa contributes to a more thorough understanding of the evolutionary history within Scathophagidae, shedding light on previously overlooked aspects of its phylogenetic landscape.

A total of 187 species are involved in the genus Pidonia Mulsant (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) worldwide, of which 174 species are distributed in Eurasia. Since Bates recorded P. (P.) gibbicollis in 1888, a total of 17 species have been recorded in Korea. After An & Kwon’s study on Korean Pidonia in 1991, no taxonomic study has been carried out for almost 30 years, making it difficult to identify the species due to their mutations. In this presentation, we provide an update on the taxonomic study of Korean Pidonia and report a newly recorded species, P. (P.) obscurior hakusana, in Korea.

Although insects lack the adaptive immunity characteristic of vertebrates, certain species exhibit enhanced subsequent immune responses upon re-encountering a pathogen, a phenomenon known as immune priming. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is still elusive. This study evaluated the immune priming of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, induced by a nonpathogenic and commensal bacterium, Bacillus subtilis. Prior exposure of P. xylostella to B. subtilis significantly increased survival against a pathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, compared to larvae without pre-exposure. To extend the effect of the microbial commensals, two antibiotics, ampicillin and kanamycin, were treated to suppress their populations. In the axenic-like condition in the gut, cellular and humoral immune responses were significantly suppressed. An addition of B. subtilis to the diet of P. xylostella significantly enhanced the immune responses. Apolipoprotein D, known as a lipid carrier, acts like a vertebrate lipocalin in the immune priming of the other insect, Spodoptera exigua. The ortholog of this gene has been identified in P. xylostella, and its expression was induced upon B. subtilis treatment. This study sheds light on the potential role of commensal gut microbes, including B. subtilis, in the immune priming of these insects.

RNA interference (RNAi) has been applied to control insect pests using gene silencing machinery in which small interfering RNA derived from dsRNA specifically degrades target mRNA. This study optimized dsRNA insecticide specific to thrips infecting hot peppers. Among potent candidate target genes, vATPase B was chosen because its RNAi was highly efficient as much as Snf7, a well-known RNAi target gene. Although RNAi specific vATPase B is lethal to Frankliniella occidentalis, it was not much effective to control other thrips species such as F. intonsa and Thrips tabaci. To expand its target spectrum, we devised a mixture treatment of dsRNA specific to individual species. As expected, each dsRNA was highly efficient in a species-specific manner. This supported the hypothesis of 21mer identity for the efficient RNAi. However, the dsRNA mixture efficiently killed the three thrips species in a crop field. To further expand its spectrum to the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, we applied virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to produce dsRNA in the hot peppers using Tobacco Rattle Virus. VIGS successfully suppressed control gene. dsRNA produced by VIGS gave significnat mortality to B. tabaci in addition to the thrips. These results suggest a technique to expand dsRNA insecticide spectrum using a mixture treatment and VIGS in insect pest control_.

귀뚜라미는 단백질 함량이 높고 필수아미노산이 풍부하여 세계적으로 식용과 사료용 곤충으로서 가치가 높 다. 국내에서 쌍별귀뚜라미(Gryllus bimaculatus)는 사육이 용이하다는 장점이 있고 주로 파충류, 물고기 등의 사료로 대량 소비되고 있기 때문에 매우 중요한 산업곤충으로 자리매김하고 있다. 그러나 최근 쌍별귀뚜라미의 활동성이 저하되고 다리가 마비되는 등 이상 증상이 발생하여 대량 폐사된 농가가 급증하였다. 이에 대한 원인을 규명하기 위해 질병 발생 농가로부터 귀뚜라미 시료를 수집하여 RNA를 추출하고 metatranscriptomic analysis 를 수행하였다. 그 결과, 신규한 덴소바이러스(Densovirus)가 대량 폐사의 원인임을 밝혀내었고, 이 바이러스를 Gryllus bimaculatus densovirus (GbDV)로 명명하였다. 또한, GbDV의 유전체 분석 결과, genome size는 5,643 bp로 5개의 ORFs(Open Reading Frames)을 포함하며, 왼쪽에는 세 개의 Non-structural proteins을 포함하는 유전자(NS1, NS2, NS3)가 존재했고 오른쪽에는 두 개의 Structural proteins을 포함하는 유전자(VP1, VP2)가 존재했다. 본 연구 는 알 수 없는 곤충 질병의 원인을 밝혀내어 해당 질병에 대한 모니터링을 가능케 함으로써 산업곤충 질병의 예찰하고 확산을 방지하는 데 기여할 것으로 사료된다.

Xenorhabdus와 Photorhabdus 속은 각각 곤충병원성 선충인 Steinernema와 Heterorhabditis에 공생하는 공생세 균이다. 감염성 선충의 유충은 공생세균을 표적 곤충의 혈강에 전달하고, 여기서 세균이 증식하여 숙주 선충의 발달을 돕는다. 이러한 선충과 세균 복합체의 성공적 공생관계는 세균의 이차대사산물을 통한 숙주의 면역억제 에 달려져 있다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 서로 다른 살충력을 보이는 6종의 Xenorhabdus를 확보하고 이러한 차이가 세균의 성장속도와 NRPS (Non ribosomal peptide synthease)에 의해 생성되는 세균의 이차대사산물 발현에 서 기원한다는 것을 확인하였다. 서로 다른 균주들은 콩명나방 (Tenebrio molitor)에 대한 살충력에 차이를 가지고 있었다. 이러한 세균들은 TSB 배지에서는 세균 성장 속도에 차이가 존재하지 않았지만 콩명나방 혈강 내에서는 세균의 성장 속도에 차이가 존재하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 각 세균의 이차대사산물 추출물을 통한 곤충의 면역 억제 실험 결과 PLA2 활성 억제, 세포독성 능력들이 살충력과 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 이차대 사산물의 경우 많은 물질이NRPS (Non ribosomal peptide synthease)에 의해 생성되므로 각 세균 별 NRPS의 유전자 발현을 보았을 때 흥미롭게도 살충력이 더 높은 스트레인의 세균이 일부 NRPS 유전자의 발현이 더 높은 것으로 나타났다. NRPS에 의해 합성되는 물질을 포함한 세균의 이차대사산물의 차이를 서로 비교하기 위하여 이차대사 산물 추출액을 GC-MS/MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 본 연구를 통해 곤충병원세균에 살충력의 기원이 NRPS를 통해 합성되는 이차대사산물에 있다는 것을 확인하였으며 이를 이용한 다양한 NRPS 유래 물질 연구는 신규 살충 물질 개발에 들어가는 비용과 시간을 획기적으로 줄일 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Salt is crucial for survival, yet excessive intake of sodium chloride can have adverse effects. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, internal taste organs located in the pharynx play a pivotal role in determining whether to accept or reject food. However, our understanding of how pharyngeal gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) perceive high salt levels is still limited. In this study, we discovered that a specific member of the ionotropic receptor family, Ir60b, is selectively expressed in a pair of GRNs that respond to high salt concentrations. Through a two-way choice assay (DrosoX) to measure ingestion volume, we established that IR60b, along with two coreceptors, IR25a and IR76b, is necessary to deter excessive salt consumption. Interestingly, mutants lacking external taste organs but retaining internal taste organs in the pharynx showed significantly higher salt avoidance compared to flies missing all three IRs while still possessing all taste organs. These findings underscore the crucial role of IRs in pharyngeal GRNs in regulating the intake of high salt levels.

Major pests of greenhouse strawberry include Tetranychus kanzawai (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) causing significant damage in both yield and quality. We compared control efficacy of two entomopathogenic fungus strains of Beauveria bassiana, AAD16 and GHA, against T. kanzawai and B. tabaci. Both fungus were applied as a foliar spray targeting the undersides of leaves. In preliminary studies in the laboratory, adult T. kanzawai and B. tabaci showed lower LT50 values when treated with AAD16 strain compared to GHA. In the greenhouse, the densities of the both mites (adult and nymph) and whiteflies (adult) were significantly reduced with the application of the two fungus strains compared to the control. The mycosis rate was 88-94% in T. kanzawai and 48-59% in B. tabaci on collected leaves. These findings suggest that Beauveria bassiana AAD16 can be an effective mycoinsecticide against both T. kanzawai and B. tabaci.

식물에 전기장을 처리하면 식물의 생장속도가 빨라지거나 영양학적으로 긍정적인 변화가 생긴다고 알려져 있다. 최근 음이온 처리 시 식물에 전기장을 처리한 것과 유사한 효과가 나타난다고 보고되었고 본 연구에서는 이러한 음이온을 온실해충인 점박이응애와 목화진딧물에 처리하여 방제효과 여부를 확인하였다. 그 결과 음이 온 처리 시 점박이응애와 목화진딧물에서 살충효과와 기피효과가 나타났다. 또한, 점박이응애 알에서도 음이온 처리가 부화율에 영향을 주는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 시험 결과를 바탕으로 온실에서 밀도실험 결과, 700,000 ion/cm3 농도에서 무처리구에 비해 밀도가 감소함을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서, 본 연구는 음이온 처리 시, 부가적인 효과로 온실해충(점박이응애, 목화진딧물)에 대해 친환경적 방제 가능성을 보여준다.

Hindwings of many lycaenid butterflies have a unique tail-like wing structure referred to as a false head, which actually mimics the antennae. False heads increase butterfly survival by directing predatory attacks towards the false heads thereby enhancing the chance of escape. In this study, using discrete character evolution models of European and American butterflies, we examined the co-evolutionary patterns between false head structures and two associated traits: a highly contrasting color patch neighboring the false head, and hindwing rubbing behaviors. The former is considered a eye-mimicking structure that enhances the effectiveness of false head, and latter generates the movement of false heads which likely increases the success of false head deception. Our findings demonstrate that false heads are ancestral states for both European and American lycaenids. Both contrasting colors and hindwing rubbing behaviors follow correlated evolution models, suggesting that these traits co-evolved in lycanid butterflies. However, specific evolutionray patterns differed between the two continents.