Destruxins (Dtxs) are insecticidal cyclic hexadepsipeptides produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Media composition for dtxs production was optimized with industrial grade media. Glycerol and casein peptone were selected as a carbon source and a nitrogen source, respectively. Dtxs production varied with C/N ratios. High yields of dtxs were observed at C/N ratios ranging 0.3 to 1.5, with concentrations mostly higher than 800 mg/L. Low yields were caused by high C/N ratio ranging from 3.0 to 8.0, resulting in less than 500 mg/L. The highest yield of Dtxs was obtained with 2% glycerol and 3% casein peptone, showing 192.2 mg/L of dtx A, 911.1 mg/L of dtx B, and 113.3 mg/L of dtx E, respectively. These results indicated that dtxs production is highly influenced by C/N ratio, especially the content of nitrogen source.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae B is a powerful biological control agent against Monochamusalternatus, a crucial mediator of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In this study, production of destruxins(dtxs), insecticidal cyclic hexadepsipeptides, was monitored in the submerged culture of M. anisopliae B. Three typesof dtxs, i.e., destruxin A, B, and E, were produced during the culture. Among the three dtxs, the production yield ofdestruxin A was best, followed by destruxin B and E. Destruxin A production was increased when pH was controlledat 6.0, whereas production of destruxin E was not affected by the pH control. The highest yield of dtxs A, B, and Ewere 16.4, 7.3, and 6.1 mg L-1, respectively. Considering that process for dtxs production has not been optimized, M.anisopliae B has more powerful implication as a biocontrol agent.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is one of potent biological control agents against a variety ofinsect pests. In this study, we investigated enzyme production of M. anisopliae strains A and B. They produced extracellularenzymes for degrading the epidermis of Monochamus alternatus, a crucial mediator of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchusxylophilus. With Q-TOF MS/MS analysis, 29 kDa protein, a major band on a SDS-PAGE gel, was identified as subtilisin-likeserine protease PR1A. M. anisopliae A produced an extracellular enzyme more efficiently than M. anisopliae B: however,enzyme activities targeted for the cuticle were comparable. Our results suggest that the two strains of M. anisopliae havethe biological potential against M. alternatus with insecticidal protease production.

The present study was carried out to revise the species of Chlaeniini in Carabidae from Korea, using both classic taxonomy and molecular analysis. Another aim is to decide the taxonomic position of Chlaenius micans Fabricius of which subgeneric status in the genus has been in question. As a part of the results, Chlaenius spathulifer Bates, 1873 was newly recognized to Korean insect fauna. With this new addition Korean Chlaeniini contains now in total 34 species and two genera. This study provids a key to species, photos of adult habitus, photos of male genitalia and redescriptions of 28 Korean species in Chlaeniini.

Oxalic acid has a nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. High producer of oxalic acid was isolated, and then named as Aspergillus niger F22. Oxalic acid production was investigated under various temperatures from 20 – 33oC and rotational speeds in 5 L jar fermenters. Yield of oxalic acid increased with decreasing temperature. The highest yield was obtained at 23oC, showing the yield of oxalic acid of 8.7 g/L, whereas oxalic acid production was least at 33oC. At 20oC, the yield was lower than that of 23oC. At a rotational speed of 300 rpm, serious oxygen depletion was present from 48 - 72 h, resulting in low productivity of 26.2 mg /L·h. When a rotational speed was set at 600 rpm, dissolved oxygen tension was over 40% and oxalic acid production increased up to approximately 55%. Viscosity during the culture differed with temperatures. Viscosity increased with the increment of temperatures. When A. niger F22 was cultured at 23oC, viscosity was 810 cP, which was favorable for oxalic acid production.

Identifying effective chemical control agents of Bemisia tabaci biotype B and Q is an important step toward IPM strategy. Until 2008, only 10 chemical agents were registered for B. tabaci. From the laboratory screening of 60 insect- and acaricides, 18 chemicals for egg, 10 for nymph and 8 for adult stage were found effective (>90% mortality). Also ten chemicals were less toxic to B. tabaci. Among ten chemicals, some conventional insecticides need further careful resistance monitoring. Field trials with some of the selected chemicals open the possibility to chemical control of B. tabaci biotype Q. Further consideration of non-target effects and resistance development has to be exerted before registration process.

This study is to generate SCARs markers for identification of Perilla species. A SCAR is a genomic DNA fragment at a single genetically defined locus that is identified by PCR amplification using a pair of specific oligonucleotide primers. We derived SCARs by sequencing and cloning the both ends of the amplified products of RAPD markers. Sixteen sequence-specific primers were synthesized from eight RAPD markers, which were completely sequenced. We developed the species-specific SCAR markers which could be used successfully in detecting genetic variation in four Perilla species. These markers could be used to verify species-origins of various forms of Perilla germplasms.