최근 국내에서는 꿀벌 대량소실 현상이 2022년부터 전국적으로 발생하고 있다. 우리나라 뿐 만 아니라, 전세계 적으로 양봉산업에 큰 위협이 되고 있는 봉군붕괴현상은 2016년 미국에서 세계 최초로 보고되었다. 국내에서는 2022년 민관 합동조사 결과, 이상기온, 응애, 말벌 등이 주요 원인으로 지목되었다. 대량소실 현상을 보인 양봉농 가와 정상 농가의 병원체 검출 비교 결과, 유의성있게 검출이 증가되는 병원체는 발견되지 않았다. 그러나, Tyrophagus mite, Trypanosome, Lake Sinai virus, Apis mellifera filamentous virus 등의 신종 응애, 원충 및 바이러 스 감염이 추가로 확인되었다. 국내에서 새롭게 감염이 확인된 기생충과 병원체가 대량소실, 나아가 봉군붕괴현 상에 직간접적으로 영향을 주었을 것으로 사료되며, 지속적인 조사와 연구개발을 통해 기후등 환경변화에 따른 신종 질병 검색과 대책을 마련해야 할 것이다.

Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) (SHB) is an invasive species to most northern hemisphere countries, including Korea. In an attempt to obtain basic information for efficient management of SHB, genes encoding conventional insecticide targets [voltage-sensitive sodium channel α-subunit (VSSC) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] were annotated and characterized following the analysis of whole transcriptomes of adults and larvae. A single VSSC gene was identified but no apparent mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance were detected. Genes encoding two AChEs (AtAChE1 and AtAChE2) were identified from the SHB transcriptome. AtAChE1 was determined to be the main catalytic enzyme, thereby being a toxicologically more relevant target. No apparent mutations associated with resistance to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides was identified in the AtAChE1 gene, whereas the S238G mutation, originally identified from the Colorado potato beetle, was detected in the AtAChE2 gene.

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille are important pests of humans and livestock and many species act as vectors of important medical and veterinary pathogens. Culicoides and other biting flies were collected using black light traps set near nine cowsheds, as described by Kim et al., and New Jersey light traps set at 10 US army installations and one military training site from May to October, 2010– 2011 as part of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency and 65th Medical Brigade (Eighth US Army, Korea) arthropod-borne disease surveillance program. Culicoides spp. were separated and identified to species using the keys and descriptions of Arnaud, Wada and Yu et al. and checklist of Cho and Chong. Kim et al. provided a brief summary of the history of research into the Culicoides fauna of the ROK noting the presence of several species of medical and veterinary importance. There are currently 28 species of Culicoides reported from the ROK and the presence of additional species has been reported by Cho & Chong, Kang & Yu and Lee, suggesting that the fauna has not yet been fully documented. Additionally, recent uses of DNA barcoding, by Bellis et al. have clarified the status of several species of Culicoides elsewhere and if applied more fully to Korean material, will likely reveal more records and perhaps new species. Surveys of adult biting midges from the ROK resulted in the discovery of three species previously not known from the ROK. So a total of 31 species of Culicoides are now known from the ROK. This study reports the presence of C. nasuensis Kitaoka, C. pallidulus Yu and C. jacobsoni Macfie from the ROK and an updated checklist of the Culicoides fauna of the ROK.