2003년 국내에 침입한 외래종 등검은말벌(Vespa velutina nigrithorax)은 현재 남한 전체에 확산된 상태이며 이들로 인한 사회 경제적 피해는 지속적으로 증가하고 있다. 따라서 이들을 방제하기 위한 다양한 방법이 시도되 고 있으나 그 효과는 대부분 미미한 상황이다. 그러나 최근 생물학적 방제에 대한 관심이 집중되는 상황에서 외래종 등검은말벌에 대한 새로운 포식자 2종이 발견되어 이를 보고하고자 한다. 2023년 8월 11일 전북 무주군 적상면 일대에서 오소리 배설물 조사 중 배설물 속에 다량의 말벌 사체가 발견되었고 분석 결과 10여개체의 등검 은말벌로 나타났다. 이는 일반적으로 땅벌류를 주로 포식하는 오소리가 대형 말벌류를 포식하는 첫 기록이다. 또한 2023년 12월 10일 안동 일대에서 등검은말벌 벌집 조사를 하던 중 벌집에 10여 마리의 직박구리가 벌집 외피를 깨고 내부에 있는 애벌레와 성충들을 포식하는 장면이 관찰되면서 벌매에 이어 새로운 조류 포식자를 기록한다.

곤충병원성 선충인 Heterorhabditis. megidis(큰형광병원선충)는 참나무 군락지(광주광역시 소재) 사양토에 서 분리 동정되었고, 곤충병원성을 가지는 공생세균은 Photorhabdus temperata로 분리 동정되어 각각 GJ1-2로 명명하였다. H. megidis GJ1-2는 고구마(주황미) 큰 검정풍뎅이 Holotrichia parallela에 대한 방제 효과는 평택시 (경기도 소재)와 논산시(충청북도 소재)의 노지 재배 사양토에서 관주처리 30일 후 각가 81.1%, 78.9%로 나타났 으며, 인삼(재래종) 거세미나방 Agrotis segetum에 대한 방제 효과는 이천시(경기도 소재)와 청주시(충청북도 소재)의 비가림 재배(차광막 설치) 사양토에서 관주처리 14일 후 방제가는 각각 79.9%, 80,2%로 나타났다. H. megidis GJ1-2는 고구마(주황미)와 인삼(재래종)에서 약제 처리 후 3, 7, 14일 후 외관상 약해는 나타나지 않았다.

질경이택사(Alisma plantago-aquatica L. subsp. orientale (Sam.) Juz.)는 습지에서 자라는 여러해살이 풀로 질경 이택사는 덩이줄기를 약용으로 사용하며, 이뇨작용, 고혈압, 고지혈증 등에 효과가 있다. 국내에서는 전남 순천 에서 주로 재배되고 있으며, 8월 중ㆍ하순에 벼를 수확하고 같은 논에 후작으로 육묘한 택사를 이모작으로 심어 소득을 올리고 있다. 2022년 8월 전남 순천에서 재배중인 질경이택사에 진딧물이 발생하였으며 수생식물에 주로 발생하는 연테두리진딧물로 확인되었다. 연테두리진딧물(Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae)은 노린재목 진딧물과에 속하는 곤충으로 몸체는 황색, 황갈색 또는 적갈색을 띄고, 알로 월동하고, 질경이택사, 연꽃, 수련 등의 수생식물 로 이주하여 흡즙가해한다. 연테두리진딧물을 5개 온도(15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 30.0, 35.0℃), 65±5%, 16L:8D의 조건에서 발육기간을 조사하였다. 약충의 발육기간은 각각 10.8, 8.2, 5.5, 4.7일이었고, 35℃에서는 발육하지 못하였다. 성충의 생존기간은 각각 29.2, 28.2, 17.2, 8.6일이었고, 35℃에서는 발육하지 못하였다.

국내에서 유통되는 한약재 오공(蜈蚣)의 정·위품 유통 현황 파악과 유전자 감별법 개발을 위해 서로 다른 6개 유통사에서 오공으로 판매중인 전형약재를 구매하여 각 약재 포장 단위별 크기, 색깔, 무늬 등 형태적으로 차이가 있는 개체를 분류하여 국내에서 채집된 왕지네 표본 2개체를 포함 총 30개 시료를 대상으로 DNA 바코드 분석을 실시하였다. 확보한 미토콘드리아 COI 염기서열 정보와 기 등재된 NCBI GenBank 염기서열 정보를 이용하여 계통 분석을 실시한 결과, 28개 약재 시료 중 국산 및 중국산 전형약재 유통품 13 개체는 모두 대한민국약전외한약 (생약)규격집에 정품 기원종으로 수재된 Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans로 확인되었으며, 이들은 국내 채집 왕지네 개체들과 함께 하나의 단계통군을 형성하였다. 하지만 인도네시아산 전형약재 유통품 15 개체의 경우 4개의 그룹으로 구분되었는데, 그 중 3개 그룹은 S. dehaani, S. subspinipes, 그리고 명확한 종을 알 수 없는 Scolopendra sp.로 Scolopendra 속으로 확인되었고 나머지 그룹을 형성하는 한 개체는 Scolopendra 속에 속하지 않고 Rhysida singaporiensis와 89%의 유사도를 보였다. COI 바코드 분석을 통해 국내 유통되는 오공은 원산지가 한국 또는 중국인 경우 모두 정품 기원종으로 확인되었으며, 원산지가 인도네시아인 경우에는 모두 위품인 것으 로 확인되었다. 또한 위품으로 확인된 유통약재는 총 4개의 종으로 분류되었고, 대부분은 정품인 Scolopendra속 의 분류군이었으며 Rhysida속과 가까운 분류군도 오공으로 수입되어 유통되고 있는 것으로 확인되었다.

겨울과 같은 환경에서 곤충은 생존과 번성을 위해 생리학적, 생화학적 및 행동적 메커니즘을 이용하고 있다. 대부분의 곤충은 생리학적 적응가운데 급속내한성(Rapid cold hardiness, RCH) 유기를 통해 기온이 급격히 낮아 지는 외부 환경에 대해 빠르게 적응하고 저온조건에서 생존율을 높인다. 열대거세미나방의 경우 행동적 메커니 즘을 통해 따뜻한 곳을 찾아 장거리 비행을 하며, 생존에 유리한 환경으로 이동한다. 본 연구에서는 열대거세미나 방의 생리적 월동능력과 RCH 능력에 관해 조사하였다. 그 결과, RCH에 의해 혈중 글리세롤의 농도가 증가와 체내빙결점이 하강하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, RCH(-10℃, 1h)에 노출된 2령 유충기를 대상으로 4령과 5령 유충기에 단기저온(5℃, 30min)에 노출 시 글리세롤 생합성에 관여하는 유전자(glycerol kinase 1, 2)의 발현이 RCH에 노출되지 않은 대조구와 비교하여 빠르게 발현되었다. 이는, 열대거세미나방의 유전자 수준에서 저온에 대한 단기기억이 존재하는 것을 제시한다.

Pararhabdepyris Gorbatovsky, 1995, is a small genus in Bethylidae (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea), currently comprising only six valid species worldwide. A new species is described and illustrated from South Korea. Pararhabdepyris sp. nov., which appears closely related to P. paradoxus, is characterized by the combination of the following characters: the basal two-thirds of the scape are dark castaneous, coxa and femora are dark castaneous, the median and submedian metapectal-propodeal disc is rugulose, and the transverse posterior carina is straight. Images of diagnostic characteristics and an updated key to the seven world species of the genus are presented.

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.

현재 기후변화 및 산업화 등으로 생물다양성 감소, 환경오염에 대한 위기가 확산되고 있어 지속가능한 미래설 계에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다. 이에 따라, 본 연구에서는 대표 도시숲인 국립세종수목원에 조성된 총 16개 전시원을 대상으로 총 6차례에 걸쳐 방문곤충과 화분매개곤충 다양성을 조사하였다. 조사시기별 분석결과로 2차(‘23.7.31) 조사 시기에 가장 다양한 종을 확인할 수 있었으며(총 80종), 전시원별 분석결과 숲정원에서 가장 다양한 종을 확인할 수 있었다(총 59종). 또한 주요 식물 6종(배롱나무, 나무수국, 무궁화, 좀개미취, 범부채, 부처 꽃)에 7~10월 기간 중 양봉꿀벌, 애황나나니, 호박벌, 네발나비, 호랑나비, 흰점박이꽃무지, 호리꽃등에, 배짧은 꽃등에가 화분매개 행동을 하는 것을 확인하였다. 본 발표에서는 2023년 국립세종수목원 전시원 내 방문곤충 및 화분매개곤충 다양성 연구의 구체적인 결과를 제시하고, 곤충의 보전 필요성, 도시숲 내 체계적인 방문곤충 및 화분매개곤충 조사의 중요성에 대하여 논하고자 한다.

The Chalcididae belong to a medium-sized family of parasitoids in the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). Chalcidids can be recognized by the swollen hind femur, the indistinct prepectus, the sharp occipital carina bordering the gena posteriorly, and the strong punctation of the mesosoma. They have been recorded parasitizing six insect orders, and several species are facultative or obligate hyperparasitoids. More than 1,500 species in 90 genera have been recorded worldwide, of which 12 species in six genera have been recorded in South Korea. As a result of taxonomic and faunal studies on Korean Chalcididae, we have found two newly recorded species, Haltichella nipponensis Habu and Dirhinus anthracia Walker, in Korea. These species were discovered using Malaise traps, Lindgren funnel traps, and observation with the naked eye in Jeonbuk, Gangwon province, and Sejong city in 2023. The genus Haltichella Spinola, 1811, is recorded in Korea for the first time. In this presentation, we provide morphological and ecological information on these species.

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.

The Korea Forest Service has designated seven alpine tree species—Abies koreana, A. nephrolepis, Juniperus chinensis, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, Taxus cuspidata, and Thuja koraiensis—as threatened with extinction in Korea. In 2023, we conducted a study on the seasonal occurrence of insect pests, focusing mainly on two coleopteran taxa (Cerambycidae and Scolytinae) and two hemipteran taxa (Aphrophoridae and Cicadellidae) in subalpine forests dominated by A. koreana, A. nephrolepis, Picea jezoensis, Thuja koraiensis, and Taxus cuspidata. We utilized three types of traps—Malaise trap, Lindgren funnel trap, and window trap—in eight investigation locations in Korea. In this presentation, we present the study results and discuss the effects of insect pests on alpine coniferous trees in Korea.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image recognition, have emerged as a promising modality with the capability to visually differentiate between mosquito species. Here we present the first performance metrics of IDX, Vectech’s system for AI mosquito identification, as part of Maryland’s mosquito control program in the USA. Specimens were collected over fourteen weeks from twelve CDC gravid trap collection sites, identified morphologically by an entomologist, and imaged using the IDX system. By comparing entomologist identification to the algorithm output by IDX, we are able to calculate the accuracy of the system across species. Over the study period, 2,591 specimens were collected and imaged representing 14 species, 10 of which were available in the identification algorithm on the device during the study period. The micro average accuracy was 94.9%. Of these 10 species, 7 species consisted of less than 30 samples. The macro average accuracy when including these species was 79%, while the macro average when excluding these species was 93%. In the next iteration of this technology, Vectech is translating the vector identification capabilities of IDX into systems capable of processing greater numbers of specimens at large public health facilities, and remote sensing systems that will allow public health organizations to monitor vector abundance and diversity from the office. These advances demonstrate the utility of artificial intelligence in entomology and its potential to support vector surveillance and control programs around the world.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease by John Cunningham virus (JC virus) infection in oligodendrocytes. The radiographic and clinical features, along with the identification JC in cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction, are sufficient for the diagnosis of PML in immunodeficiency. However, it is difficult to suspect PML without the patient history of immunodeficiency. A 32-year-old man presented with headache for a month without any medical history. Based on clinical and image features, the differential diagnoses included demyelinating lesion and neoplasms. Microscopically, biopsy specimen showed multifocal demyelinating and degenerative white matter, consistent with PML. Oligodendrocytes cells with increased nuclei and plum-colored inclusions were admixed with perivascular lymphocytic and histiocytic infiltration, and loss of myelin. Atypical astrocytes had large or multiple nuclei. After brain biopsy, human immunodeficiency virus infection was confirmed by serum chemiluminescent immunoassay. It is unlikely that PML would be considered without the information of immunosuppression. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the histological features of PML.

Background: Although an understanding of the proliferation and differentiation of fish female germline stem cells (GSCs) is very important, an appropriate threedimensional (3D) research model to study them is not well established. As a part of the development of stable 3D culture system for fish female GSCs, we conducted this study to establish a 3D aggregate culture system of ovarian cells in marine medaka, Oryzias dancena. Methods: Ovarian cells were separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and two different cell populations were cultured in suspension to form ovarian cell aggregates to find suitable cell populations for its formation. Ovarian cell aggregates formed from different cell populations were evaluated by histology and gene expression analyses. To evaluate the media supplements, ovarian cell aggregate culture was performed under different media conditions, and the morphology, viability, size, gene expression, histology, and E2 secretion of ovarian cell aggregates were analyzed. Results: Ovarian cell aggregates were able to be formed well under specific culture conditions that used ultra-low attachment 96 well plate, complete mESM2, and the cell populations from top to 50% layers after separation of ovarian cells. Moreover, they were able to maintain minimal ovarian function such as germ cell maintenance and E2 synthesis for a short period. Conclusions: We established basic conditions for the culture of O. dancena ovarian cell aggregates. Additional efforts will be required to further optimize the culture conditions so that the ovarian cell aggregates can retain the improved ovarian functions for a longer period of time.

Background: The small intestine plays a crucial role in animals in maintaining homeostasis as well as a series of physiological events such as nutrient uptake and immune function to improve productivity. Research on intestinal organoids has recently garnered interest, aiming to study various functions of the intestinal epithelium as a potential alternative to an in vivo system. These technologies have created new possibilities and opportunities for substituting animals for testing with an in vitro model. Methods: Here, we report the establishment and characterisation of intestinal organoids derived from jejunum tissues of adult pigs. Intestinal crypts, including intestinal stem cells from the jejunum tissue of adult pigs (10 months old), were sequentially isolated and cultivated over several passages without losing their proliferation and differentiation using the scaffold-based and three-dimensional method, which indicated the recapitulating capacity. Results: Porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids showed the specific expression of several genes related to intestinal stem cells and the epithelium. Furthermore, they showed high permeability when exposed to FITC-dextran 4 kDa, representing a barrier function similar to that of in vivo tissues. Collectively, these results demonstrate the efficient cultivation and characteristics of porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. Conclusions: In this study, using a 3D culture system, we successfully established porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. They show potential for various applications, such as for nutrient absorption as an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium fused with organ-on-a-chip technology to improve productivity in animal biotechnology in future studies.

This study conducted a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo’s presidential proclamation bid considering differing ideologies between two opposing political parties in the Philippines. Robredo employed language to persuade people to support her ideologies and, ultimately, to cast their votes for her. Analyzing her speech through Fairclough’s three-dimensional CDA model yielded the following several key insights. First, the textual analysis of Robredo’s proclamation bid revealed multiple personal and impersonal motivations in using linguistic markers such as personal pronouns, mood, and modality. Second, the processing analysis of Robredo’s political discourse displayed her lexical choices and use of rhetorical norms such as metaphors, repetition, and three-part lists to persuade people to change their views on the government. Finally, the social analysis of Robredo’s proclamation speech revealed her ideologies as a political leader, which became the basis for constructing a self-identity relevant to her orientation of power. This analysis of Robredo’s political discourse through CDA explored the relationship between language, ideologies, and power. The findings of this study are expected to stimulate listeners to critically observe the verbal political behaviors of speakers.

The chemical composition of 86 species of native plants in Korea, including plants to be afforestation, was analyzed. The chemical composition of the species analyzed was different. The species with the highest extractable content was Viburnum dilatatum (3.91%), and the species with the lowest extractable content was Ligustrum lucidum (0.11%). The lignin content ranged from 12 to 39%, with an average of 25%. The species with the highest lignin content was Chaenomeles lagenaria (39.37%). Hemicellulose content ranged from 18 to 52%, with the highest species being Thuja occidentalis (51.22%) and Eucommia ulmoides (48.84%). Cellulose content ranged from 25 to 58%, and the species with the highest content were Prunus serrulata (57.67%), Diospyros kaki (57.14%), Aesculus turbinata (53.29%), Albizia julibrissin (53.02%), and Zelkova serrata (52.29%). The chemical composition was different for each use taxon of 86 plant species. The lignin content was the highest in the fruit group and the lowest in the group other than recommended species for afforestation. Cellulose content was highest in non-reforestation-recommended tree species and lowest in fruit trees. In classification according to tree height, lignin content was higher in shrubs than in tall trees, and cellulose content was highest in tall trees. Between deciduous and evergreen trees, the lignin content was high in deciduous trees (26.46%), and the cellulose content was also high in deciduous trees (44.01%). As a result of analyzing the correlation between each compound, there was a difference. There tended to be a positive correlation between extractives and lignin content. There was a negative correlation between extractives and holocellulose content, hemicellulose and cellulose. The higher extract content affected the cellulose content much more than hemicellulose. Also, the higher the lignin content, the lower the cellulose content. The species with low lignin content and high cellulose content were Diospyros kaki and Prunus serrulata var. spontanea. This result is expected to be primary data for bioenergy, pulp industry and bioindustry.

The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) will provide all-sky spectral survey data covering optical to mid-infrared wavelengths with a spatial resolution of 6.′′2, which can be widely used to study galaxy formation and evolution. We investigate the galaxy-galaxy blending in SPHEREx datasets using the mock galaxy catalogs generated from cosmological simulations and observational data. Only ∼0.7% of the galaxies will be blended with other galaxies in all-sky survey data with a limiting magnitude of 19 AB mag. However, the fraction of blended galaxies dramatically increases to ∼7–9% in the deep survey area around the ecliptic poles, where the depth reaches ∼22 AB mag. We examine the impact of the blending in the number count and luminosity function analyses using the SPHEREx data. We find that the number count can be overestimated by up to 10–20% in the deep regions due to the flux boosting, suggesting that the impact of galaxy-galaxy blending on the number count is moderate. However, galaxy-galaxy blending can marginally change the luminosity function by up to 50% over a wide range of redshifts. As we only employ the magnitude limit at Ks-band for the source detection, the blending fractions determined in this study should be regarded as lower limits.