Morphology of antennal sensilla and their distribution were investigated in male and female adults of Plautia stali,a major pest of tree fruits, using scanning electron microscopy. Antennae of P. stali was composed of a scape, a pediceland three flagella in both sexes. Four types of sensilla (s. trichodea, s. basiconica, s. chaetica, s. coeloconica) were identifiedfrom both sexes. Among them, s. trichodea and s. basiconica were multiporous, others are not. They distributed in varyingnumbers. Sexual dimorphism was not shown in the distribution of the four sensilla types. But their distribution was characterizedalong antennal segments in both sexes. This study will be useful in electrophysiological and behavioral studies on theolfactory sensory function of each morphological type of sensilla.

By definition, endosymbionts reside in the hosts' cells and are maternally inheritted to offspring as the mitochondriondoes. Recent progresses reveal that some endosymbionts have evolved their manipulabilities of hosts' reproduction. Inthis nature, once an endosymbiont shares its host with others, their association may last long unless their evolutionaryinterest or hosts' fitness is undermined.We tested whether the association existed among the endosymbionts; Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Cardinium and Rickettsia.The results show that there are some multiple infection cases but there is no obvious pattern in their association.

The objective of this study was to determine the anti-diabetic effect of the water extract of Neolentinus lepideus in a diabetic mouse model. Seven-week-old C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were fed either a control diet (CD) or diet supplemented with 1% or 5% of N. lepideus water extract (NLWE1 or NLWE5) for 10 weeks. Oral administration of NLWE significantly decreased the body weight gain compared to that of CD-fed group. Mice in the NLWE group had significantly lower levels of fasting serum glucose, fatty acids, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to those in the control group. These effects were accompanied by reduced fatty liver and improved glucose tolerance in the NLWE group. Taken together, these results suggest that N. lepideus might have potential as a dietary supplement to control diabetes.

Morphology of antennal sensilla and their distribution were investigated in male and female adults of Ooencyrtus nezarae, an egg parasitoid of Riptortus pedestris, using scanning electron microscopy. Antennae of O. nezarae was composed of scape, pedicel and seven flagella in both sexes. Six types of sensilla (s. trichodea, s. basiconica, s. chaetica, s. campaniformia, s. sickle-shaped and unknown s.) were identified from both sexes. Among them, s. trichodea and s. sickle-shaped were multiporous, others are not. They distributed in varying numbers. Sexual dimorphism was clearly observed in the distribution of s. trichodea (only on male antennae) and unknown sensilla (only on female antennae). These findings would be helpful for further studies on detailed sex specific-receptive functions of each antennal sensilla.

Changes in land use and increase in urban energy consumption influence urban life. This study analyzed the characteristics and patterns of urban heat and presents management schemes to generate a comfortable and sustainable urban environment. The study aimed to demonstrate the positive effects of artificial ground greening on improving the microclimate through evapotranspiration using perennial herbs. We have designed a chamber that could control constant temperature and humidity, measure temperature reductions in each plant and changes in sensible heat and latent heat. This study identified Sedum kamtschaticum as the most effective plant in controlling temperature. At 22℃, 3.2℃ temperature reduction was observed, whereas four other plants showed a 1.5℃ reduction. At 25℃, 2.0℃ temperature reduction was observed. On the other hand, the use of Sedum sarmentosum resulted in the lowest effect. Zoysia japonica is the most commonly used ground covering plant, although the temperature reduction of Lysimachia nummularia was more effective at high temperature conditions. Sensible heat and latent heat were calculated to evaluate the thermal performance of energy. At a temperature >30℃, L. nummularia and S. sarmentosum emitted high latent heat. In this study, we analyzed the thermal performance of green roof perennial plants; in particular, we analyzed the evapotranspiration and temperature reduction of each plant. Since the substrate depth and types, plant species, and seasonal change may influence temperature reduction and latent heat of green roofs, further studies are necessary.

Euzophera batangensis (Lepidotera: Pyralidae) is seriously damaging trunks or branches of persimmon tree (Diospyros sp.). We tested the attractiveness of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol (Z9-14OH) and (Z9,E12)-tetradeca- 9,12-dien-1-ol (Z9,E12-14OH) with single or blended baits at southern parts of Korea in 2014 and 2015. The monoene was not attractive at all at three places during the two years. In 2014, diene was equally or more attractive than the mixture in Jinju and Suncheon, respectively. In 2015 too, the attractiveness of diene and mixture was not different in Jinju and Munsan. Monitoring of the seasonal occurrence of E. batangesis with the sex pheromone components revealed that it occurred three times a year; the first occurrence from early April to mid May, the second from early Jun to mid July, and the third from late August to late September.

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer management is one of the important aspects of economic production of sorghums in sustainable agriculture. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of different N application rates and its split N application methods on productivity, growth characteristics, N accumulation, N use efficiency (NUE), and feed value of Sorghum × Sudangrass hybrids. Treatments consisted of five N application rates (0, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg ha-1) and two split N application methods (40% in basal N, 30% at the growing stage, and 30% after the first harvest vs. 50% in basal N and 50% after the first harvest). Plant height, leaf width, and stem diameter were increased (p≤0.05) with increasing N fertility rates at each harvest. Chlorophyll content (expressed as SPAD values) was the highest at a rate of 300 kg N ha 1 (first harvest, 46.32; second harvest, 33.09). It was the lowest at zero N (first harvest, 21.56; second harvest, 18.5). Total N, N uptake, and NUE were increased with higher N rates. Split N application had little effect on total N, amount of N uptake, or NUE. Total dry matter yields were the highest (21,715 kg ha-1) at a rate of 300 kg N ha-1. It was the lowest (10,054 kg ha-1) at zero N. Our results suggest that more than 300 kg N ha-1 can improve dry matter yield to be above 116% compared to zero N, thus enhancing the agronomic characters of sorghums. However, no significant effect had been found for split N application. Further work is needed to determine the optimal N levels and the effect of split N application rates.

Both Nilaparvata lugens Stål and Laodelphax striatellus Fallén has been known as the major rice pests which were irregularly migrated into Korea by wind current from China. We re-arranged and compared the resistance profiles to detect the existence convergent adaptation by using the previously published dataset (N. lugens at 2014, 17:711-716 and L. Striatellus at 2016, 19:247-252 in J. Asia Pac. Entomol., respectively). Both species commonly exhibited the high level of resistance to imidacloprids. Especially, the immigrant populations of L. Striatellus exhibited higher resistance level to indigenous populations, suggesting that they would settle down in Korea with insecticide resistance traits being predisposed. To detect the convergent adaptation to insecticide, pearson correlation analysis were employed by comparing mean dosage of LD50 and resistance ratio to nine insecticides. Strikingly, high and similar dosage responses were observed between the two species with high correlation coefficients of 0.928 (df=7, P <0.001) and 0.950 (df=7, P <0.001), respectively, in the comparison of LD50 vs. resistance ratio. This finding indicates that convergent adaption has occurred in both species through consistent selection by insecticides with similar usage patterns.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells, which can be induced to differentiate into several cells. MSCs are also reported to possess immunomodulatory properties through secretion of inflammatory cytokines and generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Treg cells play an important role in allergic disorders, including atopic dermatitis. We examined the immunomodulatory effects of canine adipose tissue derived-MSCs (cAD-MSCs) in 3 groups: Group 1, untreated normal dog; Group 2, dogs with Dermatophagoides farinae ointment-induced atopic dermatitis; and Group 3, dogs with atopic dermatitis. Canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from each group and co-cultured with cAD-MSCs. After co-culturing, PBMCs were separated and the expression of Treg cells was examined by flow cytometry. According to the results, the populations of Treg cells were increased in 3 ex vivo experimental groups, co-cultured with cAD-MSCs. These results would be important for the application of MSCs in clinical trials.