Sarcophaga peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) play a pivotal role in forensic entomology, particularly in the context of decomposing corpses in South Korea, with its prevalence most notable from May to October. This study aims to leverage the growth metrics of S. peregrina to refine estimates of the minimum post-mortem interval (PMI_min), thereby providing a more localized and accurate measure of the time elapsed since death. By cultivating specimens a across a range of temperatures (22℃, 25℃, 28℃, and 34℃), we documented the corresponding larval and pupal development rates, observing significant variances in development times across temperatures: 475.1 hours at 22℃, 347.0 hours at 25℃, 326.0 hours at 28℃, and 247.3 hours at 34℃. Our findings highlight a temperature-dependent acceleration in life cycle progression of research emphasizes the importance of considering environmental factors, particularly temperature, to enhance the accuracy of forensic investigation.

최소 사후 경과 시간(PMImin) 측정에 필수적으로 이용되는 것 중 하나가 시식성 곤충의 발육 속도를 정확히 측정한 데이터이다. 법의곤충학(Medicolegal entomology)을 이용한 최소 사후 경과 시간 측정 방법은 과거에 비해 빠르게 발전하고 있지만, 보다 정확한 데이터를 얻기 위해서는 추가적인 기초 데이터 확보가 필요하다. 이에 본 연구에서는 가장 대표적인 시식성 곤충 중 하나인 연두금파리(Lucilia illustris)를 대상으로 온도에 따른 성장 속도를 측정하였다. 흔히 blow fly 또는 green bottle fly라고도 불리는 연두금파리는 사체에 가장 먼저 나타나는 시식성 파리 중 하나이기 때문에, 해당 종의 유충 성장 속도를 측정하면 최소 사후 경과 시간을 비교적 정확하게 추정하는 것이 가능하다. 실험에 사용된 연두금파리는 5~9월경 대전 유성구 일대에서 성충을 채집하여 종 동정, 사육 및 증식, 예비 실험을 거친 후 본 실험을 진행하였다. 본 실험은 성충 사육 케이지 내에서 교미 및 산란 유도 후 산란된 알을 돼지 생간에 접종하여 유충 사육 전용 챔버에 넣고, 12시간 간격으로 6개체 샘플링하고 추가로 각 령기 변화 시점에 샘플링을 진행하였다. 샘플링된 유충은 길이 측정 및 이미지 촬영을 진행하였다. 16℃, 19°C, 22°C, 25°C, 28°C, 31°C, 34°C 7개 온도 조건에서 연두금파리의 성장 속도 측정 실험을 3회 반복하였으며, 산란으로 부터 부화 및 우화까지 시간 등을 포함한 전체 성장 시간 데이터와 유충 몸길이 데이터, 이미지 자료, 샘플링한 유충 액침표본 등을 확보하였다. 16℃, 19°C, 22°C, 25°C, 28°C, 31°C에서 연두금파리의 전체 성장 시간은 각각 792.7±70.2, 441.0±53.3, 366.7±15.1, 288.0±7.2, 255.7±4.0, 260.3±13.2로 측정되었으며, 34°C에서는 3령 이후 성장 하지 못하고 폐사함을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 연두금파리의 성장 과정 데이터와 최소 사후 경과 시간 추정을 위한 지표로서 활용 가능한 데이터를 제공한다.

This study aims to systematically investigate the insect diversity within the distinct coastal grassland and mountain habitats of East Busan, Busan Metropolitan City. The objective is to gather foundational data that will inform natural environment conservation plans and contribute to policy formulation. Employing a comprehensive collection approach, we utilized trapping nets, pitfall traps, and flying insect traps to capture a broad spectrum of insect species. The investigation identified a rich diversity of 132 species across 9 orders and 52 families. Coleoptera emerged as the most prevalent order with 13 families and 41 species, followed by Diptera with 8 families and 24 species, and Lepidoptera with 9 families and 21 species. To assess the biodiversity and structure of these communities by habitat type, we applied several biodiversity indices: the Shannon-Wiener index (H'), Margalef index (R), and Pielou evenness index. Coastal grasslands exhibited an H' of 3.153, R of 11.08, and a Pielou evenness of 0.371; coastal mountains showed an H' of 2.922, R of 13.02, and a Pielou evenness of 0.202. These metrics reveal no significant differences in diversity and evenness between the two habitats. The endangered Copris tripartitus was notably observed in coastal grasslands, alongside 20 species classified as Least Concern (LC) in the National Red List across both habitats. The comparative analysis of biodiversity and evenness levels across coastal grassland and mountain areas highlights the ecological significance of both habitats in supporting a diverse insect fauna. The detection of endangered and LC species within these areas emphasizes the critical need for ongoing monitoring and the development of effective conservation strategies tailored to protect Busan's coastal ecosystems. The findings underscore the necessity of conducting periodic surveys to monitor faunal changes and inform conservation efforts actively. By ensuring the continued protection of insect diversity, these efforts will play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological integrity of coastal areas, thereby supporting broader environmental conservation objectives.

This study aimed to collect foundational data essential for devising a natural environment conservation plan and implementing relevant policies. It underscores the significance of understanding the current state of the natural environment. Our research concentrated on surveying the biodiversity and distribution of key natural habitats within Busan Metropolitan City, with the goal of gathering crucial data to guide the development of conservation and management strategies. The focus of our investigation was on the insect populations in Ilgwang, covering two primary habitats: mountains and wetlands. The survey, conducted from July to September 2023, utilized various collection methods, including pitfall traps, fly traps, sweeping nets, and aspirators. Our findings documented the presence of 109 species across 88 genera, 50 families, and 9 orders. Specifically, the study identified two species from the order Odonata, two from Blattodea, one from Mantodea, six from Orthoptera, eleven from Hemiptera, twenty-nine from Coleoptera, twelve from Diptera, ten from Lepidoptera, and thirty-five from Hymenoptera. Through community analysis, biodiversity indices were calculated, revealing a Shannon-Wiener index (H') of 4.07 for mountain habitats and 3.92 for wetlands. The Margalef richness index (R) displayed values of 13.92 for mountains and 14.78 for wetlands, while the Pielou evenness index indicated values of 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. Among the identified species, one was classified as endangered, and thirteen were designated as of Least Concern, according to legal protection statuses.

Valgus Kolbe, 1909 is a small genus of Cetoniinae, with 20 described species worldwide. In Korea, only one species, Valgus koreanus Sawada, have been recorded. Species of this genus have been known that they are commonly associated with termite colonies. They feed on the wall of termite burrows in logs or standing dead trees. In this study, we report a new species of this genus, Valgus gwangneungensis sp. nov.. We provide a key to the species of Valgus, description of the new species and photographs of habitus and male aedeagus.

The family Anamorphidae Strohecker is a beetle family that comprises about 170 species worldwide. This family was traditionally considered as a subfamily of the family Endomychidae Leach because of their similar appearance, but a phylogenetic study revealed it is a separate family. The adults of this family can be distinguished from endomychid species by possessing a tentorium with corpotentorium and separated anterior arms, mesocoxal cavities being broadly closed by meso- and metaventrites, and others. Although more than 20 species have been reported in East Asia, this family has never been reported in Korea. In this study, the family Anamorphidae Strohecker and its 5 species of 3 genera, Bystodes kidoi Sasaji, Bystodes sp.1, Bystodes sp.2, Dexialia hiranoi Narukawa, Idiophyes sp., are reported for the first time in Korea. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters of each species are provided.

The genus Trixagus Kugelann is one of the most diverse genera in the family Throscidae Laporte, which comprises about 80 species. Only a single species of this genus has been reported in Korea throughout the entire family. In this study, three additional species, Trixagus sp., Trixagus leseigneuri Muona, and Trixagus turgidus Hisamatsu are reported for the first time in Korea. Similar to that of the species illustrated in Kovalev, males of Trixagus leseigneuri Muona and Trixagus turgidus Hisamatsu possess sexual modification on mesotarsus. Trixagus sp. and Trixagus turgidus Hisamatsu exhibit characters that are unusual for this genus, including the unincised eye, a blade-like structure on the protibia, and others. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters of each species are provided.

The family Cryptophagidae Kirby (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) comprises minute beetles, with approximately 800 described species within about 50 genera worldwide. Most members of this family are found in moldy environments and feed on fungal spores and hyphae. The Korean cryptophagid fauna is poorly known, consisting of 22 species belonging to 8 genera. In this study, seven species of Cryptophagidae reported for the first time in Korea: Atomaroides ussurica (Lyubarsky), Cryptophagus micaceus Rey, Cryptophagus pumilus Reitter, Cryptophagus zonatus Lyubarsky, Henoticus pilifer Reitter, Micrambe (Micrambinus) bimaculata (Panzer), and Serratomaria vulgaris Sasaji. Illustrations of habitus, male genitalia, and collection localities of these seven species are provided.

Weevils are known as economic and agricultural pests. Additionally, many entimine beetles are also known to cause harm in agriculture. On the other hand, soil-dwelling entimine beetles are known as detritivores, feeding on leaf litter and contributing to soil decomposition. The subfamily Entiminae is the largest group among the family Curculionidae. The genus Asphalmus Sharp comprises 45 species, with only two species [Asphalmus japonicus Sharp and Asphalmus kostali Borovec] recorded in Korea, while the rest are found in Japan. All these species are known as inhabiting leaf and soil litter. While examining of entimine specimens, we distinguished 20 specimens that do not share diagnostic characters with existing Asphalmus species. New species can be identified by the following characters: Reddish-brown body color, elongated body form, absence of teeth on all femora, and the form of male genitalia and female spermatheca.

The genus Caenoscelis C. G. Thomson (Coleoptera: Cryptophagidae: Cryptophaginae) comprises approximately 30 species in the world, primarily distributed in the Holarctic region. Although 15 Caenoscelis species occur in the Palearctic region, only a single species, Caenoscelis sibirica Reitter, has been documented in Korea. In this study, Caenoscelis koreanus sp. nov. is described, and Caenoscelis ferruginea (C. R. Sahlberg) is reported for the first time in Korea. The new species can be distinguished from other Caenoscelis species by their subquadrate antennomere 10, fully developed hind wings, and male genitalia with subacute parameres and indistinctly separated lateral lobes. Illustrations of habitus, diagnostic characters, and a distribution map of Korean Caenoscelis species are provided.

Division of the risk management, APQA(Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) is conducting the IRA(Import Risk Assessment) to prevent the introduction of pests when importing foreign agricultural products. In the 2023 IRA, 55 cases of 19 items from 23 countries was analyzed, and fresh avocado(variety: HASS) from the Philippines was concluded in September 2023 and can be imported in accordance with appropriate phytosanitary measures. The main issue in the IRA of fresh avocado fruits from the Philippines was whether HASS variety avocados were host plants of Bactrocera dorsalis. As a result of the risk analysis, B. dorsalis were included in the pest list that needs to be managed by special risk management. As a risk management for B. dorsalis, one trap using methyl-eugenol is installed per 20 ha once a week. After surveying, if the population is more than 2/trap/day, control measures such as adding traps and spraying pesticides are necessary. As equivalence, regionalization, and transparency have been strengthened with the recent entry into force of the mega FTA, a higher level of scientific basis is required. Accordingly, division of the risk management, APQA is working harder to improve its expertise, and we need your cooperation and attention of the IRAs.

Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) are widely-distributed pests that feeds on many economically important hosts, particularly tropical fruits and ornamentals. The potential distribution of these mealybug pests into South Korea remains a primary concern because of their high incidence in interceptions screened during inspection. Hence, these species prompted a modelling effort to assess their potential risk of introduction. Potential risk maps were developed for these pests with the CLIMEX model based on occurrence records under environmental data. The potential distribution of these pests in South Korea in the 2020s, 2050s and 2090s was projected based on the RCP 8.5 climate change scenario. Results show that D. brevipes, D. neobrevipes and P. longispinus have little potential for invasion in the exterior environment of South Korea due to high cold stress in the 2020s. However, for D. brevipes and P. longispinus, 3 and 86 locations in Jejudo, were predicted to be marginally suitable for this pest under future climate factors, respectively. In that respect, the results of these model predictions could be used to prepare a risk-based surveying program that improves the probability of detecting early D. brevipe, D. neobrevipes and P. longispinus populations.

Subgenus Bothynoptera Schaum, 1863 of the genus Parena is mainly found in Oriental region. Despite this widespread distribution, species of the subgenus Bothynoptera are poorly known in Korea. While a total of 14 species have been recorded worldwide, only 3 species have been recorded in Korea. In this study, as a revisional work of Korean known species, a pictorial key and photographs of habitus and male genitalia for each species are provided, with a newly recorded species in Korea.

The genus Bembidion is a prominent terrestrial group found in various regions around the world, encompassing a large number of species. Species of this genus have a reduced apical palpomere, as do all members of the tribe Bembidiini. This study reviews four species belonging to the subgenus Plataphus, which is included within the genus Bembidion. Descriptions and photos of adults are provided.

Currently, 12 subspecies of Coptolabrus smaragdinus have been recorded in Korea, of which 7 subspecies are listed in South Korea. C. smaragdinus has limited movement due to degenerated hindwings, resulting in high intraspecific diversity due to geographic isolation. Previous studies have been mainly classified based on external characters or genitalia structure, but the differences between subspecies are very ambiguous. In this study, we aimed to more clearly distinguish at the subspecific classification level, by examining the male aedeagal and inflated endophallus. Additionally, we provide photos of adult, endophallus and the process of endophallus inflation.

The tribe Bythinini Raffray is species-rich pselaphine group including over 600 species distributed worldwide. Despite its diversity, only one genus, Bryaxis Kugelann, has been reported in Korea. In this study, we newly describe Bryaxis sp. n. mainly based on the male antennal modification. We also report a new species of the genus Tychobythinus Ganglbauer from Korea. Members of these two bythinine genera are commonly characterized by the traits of maxillary palpi: elongated second palpomere, shortened penultimate, and enlarged last one. In addition, we conducted phylogenetic analyses to demonstrate the relevance between antennal modification and evolutionary relationship of Bryaxis. To perform the phylogenetic construction, we assembled three mitochondrial genes (cox1, cox2, and 16S) and three nuclear genes (18S, 28S, and wingless) into a dataset. Eleven species of Bryaxis and two Tychobythinus species are included, the latter genus of which are used to root the consensus trees.

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.

This study investigates the phenomenon of task specialization in subterranean termites, focusing on their tunneling behavior. Termites, known for their complex social structure, allocate specific individuals for tunnel construction, rarely switching tasks. To explore this behavior, we developed a simulation model comparing termite groups with and without task shifts. While tunnel orientation showed no significant difference between the two tunnel pattern groups, the absence of task shifts resulted in larger tunnels, indicating enhanced foraging efficiency. This suggests that maintaining a consistent division of labor without task rotation benefits termite foraging. This study sheds light on the ecological advantages of task specialization in social insects, highlighting its role in foraging success and colony survival.

This study aims to identify insect species relevant to medicolegal entomology in South Korea, to develop valuable forensic indicators for addressing legal challenges. We conducted carcass experiments with animals from 2015 to 2023 and analyzed domestic medicolegal literature. Species with uncertain taxonomic status or those recorded only once in experiments or literature were excluded. Our dataset includes observations from 185 carcasses, 24 criminal cases, and 468 autopsies. We identified a total of 254 carcass-associated species across 67 families and 8 orders. Of these species, 32 species consistently found on both human corpses and animal carcasses, suggesting their significance in forensic contexts. The order Diptera, comprising 53.13% of these taxa, was predominantly represented by the families Calliphoridae (70.59%), Muscidae (17.65%), and Sarcophagidae (11.76%). Coleoptera constituted 46.87% of the identified taxa, with the families Silphidae (53.33%), Dermestidae (26.67%), Cleridae (6.67%), Scarabaeidae (6.67%), and Staphylinidae (6.67%) being most significant. Lucilia sericata was the most frequently found species in autopsies of corpses found indoors (51.95%) and outdoors (14.77%), followed by Phormia regina, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya pinguis and Lucilia illustris, highlighting their potential as forensic markers. This comprehensive study provides crucial baseline data for medicolegal entomologists in South Korea, identifying key insect species as forensic indicators.

The study of blowfly (Diptera, Calliphoridae) biodiversity and distribution is crucial for forensic investigations involving cadavers. Abiotic and biotic factors, such as seasonality and habitat type, have significant impacts on blowfly populations. However, few forensic entomology studies have been conducted in South Korea, particularly the Gyeongsangnam-do region. To address this, in this study, an extensive year-long survey was conducted to analyze the compositions, habitat preferences, distribution, and seasonal abundance of forensically relevant blowflies in urban and forested habitats in Gyeongsangnam-do, utilizing mouse carcass-baited traps set for 48 h each month. A total of 3,478 adult blowflies were recorded, encompassing six genera and 14 species, with a noted absence of specimens during the winter months. The predominant species was Lucilia porphyrina, accounting for 37.1% of the total sample, followed by Chrysomya pinguis (27.5%), Lucilia sericata (7.6%), and Lucilia illustris (7.1%). The species composition was consistent across all surveyed regions; however, seasonal variation in species diversity was evident, with a peak in spring and decline in summer. Notably, certain species exhibited clear preferences for either urban (Calliphora calliphoroides and L. sericata) or forested habitats (L. porphyrina and Ch. pinguis). This pioneering study elucidates the diverse blowfly communities in Gyeongsangnam-do, highlighting significant seasonal and habitat-dependent variations.