We investigated if Pseudococcus viburni and P. longispinus, the two notorious pest species of mealybugs are foundin Korea. Our survey involved a total of 602 sites all over the country for the last three years. Pseudococcus viburniwas only once referred in Gimpel’s 1983 dissertation on P. affinis group: only one record was noted from Korea amongmany specimens from various countries. However, the species has never been reported from Korea for the last severaldecades and none was found in our thorough survey. We believe there was a misidentification, as noted by the authorregarding the species complex, and conclude that P. viburni does not occur in Korea. On the other hand, P. longispinushas been found in 36 sites, all from imported tropical houseplants in a green house or nurseries. In addition, anothersimilar species has been found from 86 sites. This unknown species was surprisingly best matched with P. orchidicola.Both species could not survive Korea’s harsh winter and they could only survive in a temperature-controlled place suchas nurseries and restaurants.

This study was conducted to establish the optimal chemical post-activation conditions in porcine embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using 4 different chemical compositions (cytochalasin B (CB), cyclohexamide (CHX), demecolcine (DC), 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP). Porcine embryos were produced by PA and SCNT and then, cultured for post-activation with CB (7.5 μg/mL), CB (7.5 μg/mL) + CHX (10 μg/mL), CB (7.5 μg/mL) +DC (0.4 μg/mL), and CB (7.5 μg/mL) + DMAP (2 mM). In PA embryonic development, cleavage rates have been significantly higher in CB group (94.7%) and CB+DMAP group (94.1%) than that of CB+CHX and CB+DC group (88.1 and 84.3%, respectively). There have been no significant differences in blastocyst formation rates among the four groups. In cell number of blastocyst was shown in CB group (42.3%) significantly higher than CB+CHX and CB+DC group (40.6 and 40.6%, respectively). In SCNT embryonic development, CB+DMAP group (89.7%) significant differences were found on embryo cleavage rates when compared with other three groups. Blastocyst formation rates in CB+DMAP group (26.9%) were significantly higher when compared with CB, CB+CHX, and CB+DC groups (25.5, 20.2, and 22.1%, respectively). In blastocyst cell number, CB+DMAP group (41.4%) was found higher significant difference compared with other three groups. Additionally, we have investigated survivin expression in early development stages of porcine SCNT embryos for more confirmation. Our results establish that CB group and CB+DMAP group for 4 h during post-activation improves pre-implantation improvement of PA and SCNT embryos.