Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas, 1865) is a major pest of agricultural crops. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of M. differentialis, which is 15,627 bp in length. The genome contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and an A+T-rich control region, with an overall nucleotide composition of 42.3% A, 32.5% T, 10.5% G, and 14.7% C. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs from available mitochondrial genomes of the family Acrididae. The results placed M. differentialis within the subfamily Melanoplinae, consistent with its current taxonomic classification. This newly sequenced mitochondrial genome provides a valuable resource for future studies on the evolution, phylogeny, and management of M. differentialis, enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of this economically important pest.

Phosphine (PH3) fumigation has been widely used for controlling storedgrain insect pests, causing the development of resistance of stored-grain insect pests to phosphine. PH3 resistance in Sitophilus oryzae has been reported in Korea. However, PH3 resistance in Tribolium castaneum has not been reported yet. This study was conducted to determine susceptibilities of T. castaneum collected from five different domestic locations to PH3. The susceptibility to PH3 was investigated using the FAO fumigation method. All domestic T. castaneum individuals were controlled by PH3 at 0.04 g m-3. At 0.01 g m-3, T. castaneum collected from two domestic locations did not exhibit 100% mortality. A P45S point mutation in dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld) gene was found in a PH3-resistant strain of T. castaneum (Aus07), but not in five domestic stains or a PH3-susceptible strain (Aus10). No significant difference was found in dld or cyt-b5-r gene expression across all tested strains. However, the Gyeongju-collected strain of T. castaneum showed more than a 1.7-fold increase in cyt-b5-r expression compared to the Aus07 strain. cDNA sequence analysis revealed that P45S (C133T) in the dld gene was only present in Aus07. A characteristic single nucleotide polymorphism in the cyt-b5-r gene sequence was identified in the five domestic strains. This study suggests that it is necessary to continuously monitor PH3-susceptibility of T. castaneum in Korea to quickly identify resistant individuals and prevent the spread of PH3 resistance through rapid control.

Phosphine is a common pesticide used to control grain pests in Rice Processing Complex(RPC). However, increasing use of aluminum phosphide caused the occurrence of phosphine resistance pests. In this study, phosphine resistance pests collected at RPC in 2023 was investigated with FAO No. 16 test, Dihydrolipomaide dehydrogenase(DLD) test and amino acid mutation analysis to identify the occurrence of phosphine resistance in Korea. Tested pests were collected in the 7 province 35 region. As a result of the FAO test of 21 regions, all sample were phosphine sensitives. In DLD test and amino acid analysis, 7 region samples were weak resistances. It is required to inspect the RPC and other grain storage continuously to inhibit the widespread of resistant pest.

본 연구는 식물검역 분야에서 주요하게 사용되고 있는 메틸브로마이드 훈증제로 인해 발생하는 약해를 저감하기 위한 물질을 모델식물인 애기장대를 이용하여 스크리닝하였다. 사전연구를 통하여 메틸브로마이드 훈증제의 식물 독성 메커니즘으로 활성산소발생와 식물 성장 호르몬인 옥신의 식물체 내 분배억제효과가 발생하는 것을 바탕으로 하여, 약해 저감물질후보군으로 활성산소를 제거하는 역할을 하는 ROS scavenger 2종 (NAC, GSH)과 옥신을 훈증제 처리 전 애기장대에 처리한 후 약해의 저감 정도를 육안평가와 더불어 관련 유전자의 발현을 확인하였다. 연구 결과 메틸브로마이드에 의해 유도된 약해는 옥신보다는 활성산소를 저감시키는 물질후보군들에서 약해 저감효과가 나타났다. 이 중 GSH을 이용하여 농도구배하여 전처리하였을 때, 5 mM GSH 전처리 후 메틸브로마이드 훈증 시 약해 저감효과가 두드러졌다. GSH 전처리 시 식물체 내에 MBF1c와 HSP70 유전자 발현이 증가하는 것을 확인하였으며, 이는 메틸브로마이드 훈증으로 유도되는 약해를 방어하는 역할을 담당하였을 것이라고 평가된다. 따라서, 식물검역 훈증제 메틸브로마이드에 의해 발생하는 약해를 저감하는 데 GSH의 사용가능성을 평가하였으며, 이를 기반으로 다양한 식물체에 적용하여 수출입 시 약해로 인한 경제적 손실을 감소시킬 수 있기를 기대한다.