The tribe Tropidocephalini Muir, 1915 (Delphacidae: Delphacinae) comprised 37 genera 204 species worldwide. In Korea, only three species, Epeurysa nawaii Matsumura, 1900, Tropidocephala brunnipennis (Distant, 1906), T. nigra (Matsumura, 1900), have been reported. In this study, one species, Epeurysa distincta Huang & Ding, 1979, is reported for the first time from Korea. We provide the morphological characteristics, photographs and taxonomic keys of the four species belonging to the tribe Tropidocephalini.

The genus Icerya Signoret, 1876 has 38 species distributed in the world, and some are known to cause damage to valuable crops. The Seychelles scale, Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Monophlebidae) was found on Cycas revoluta located in the province of Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island, South Korea. This species is highly polyphagous and has been reported to attack host plants of 136 genera, it is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In South Korea, the species was presently considered a quarantine pest and it seems that control is needed. In this study, I. seychellarum is recorded for the first time in South Korea, we provide information on the distribution, host plants, and description of this species.

In the genus Asobara Foester, 1863 (Braconidae: Alysiinae), two new species, Asobara rotundata sp. nov. is described and illustrated. In addition, the DNA barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) were sequenced for the species. An identification key for the Asobara species officially recorded from Korea is provided.

South Korea experienced a significant decline in honey bee populations starting in 2021, which continued for two years until the winter of 2022. To investigate the potential causes of this decline, we conducted a virome analysis, considering viruses as possible culprits. Samples were collected during two periods: April-May 2022 and May-June 2023. From libraries contsructed from their total RNA, we secured a total of 25 raw FASTQ files by high-throughput sequencing. In the honey bees collected in 2022, we identified eight previously unreported honey bee viruses including Lake Sinai viruses, one novel honey bee-related virus, and one novel plant-related virus. In the subsequent sampling in 2023, we found that most of the viruses identified in 2022 were still present. Additionally, the novel honey bee virus reported in 2022 was also found in the 2023 collections, along with three more honey bee-related novel viruses. Notably, numerous plant viruses were detected in honey bees collected during the flowering season. This analysis suggests that the viruses observed in South Korean honey bees are likely distributed nationwide. These findings provide fundamental data for future research on honey bee viruses in South Korea.

Climate change and biological invasions are the greatest threats to biodiversity, agriculture, health and the global economy. Tomato leafminer(Tuta absoluta) (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important threats to agriculture worldwide. This pest is characterized by rapid reproduction, strong dispersal ability, and highly overlapping of generations. Plants are damaged by direct feeding on leaves, stems, buds, calyces, young ripe fruits and by the invasion of secondary pathogens which enter through the wounds made by the pest. Since it invaded Spain in 2006, it has spread to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and, in 2010, to some countries in Central Asia and Southeast Asia. In East Asia, Tomato leafminer was first detected in China in Yili, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in 2017. There is a possibility that this pest will invade South Korea as well. This study provides this by the use of MaxEnt algorithm for modelling the potential geographical distribution of Tomato Leafminer in South Korea Using presence-only data.

The genus Halictus Latreille, 1804 and Seladonia Robertson, 1918 are nearly cosmopolitan group, consisting of more than 206 described species worldwide except Antarctica region. In previous taxonomic and phylogenetic research, this genus regarded as a sister group of genus Halictus. In this study, a total of two genera seven species were reviewed from Korean peninsula (three Halictus, four Seladonia) with three new records (Halictus hedini hedini, Seladonia confusa, S. henanensis). A key to species and images of adult are provided.

Currently 41 valid species of the Pholcus phungiformes-group (Araneae: Pholcidae) have been known from Korea. In this study, four new species of this species-group were discovered from Gangwon-do and eastern Chungcheongbuk-do. These new species have common characteristics with Pholcus socheunensis, such as broad and membranous prolateral process and strongly curved pseudoappendix in male palp. The female of Pholcus montanus in the original description is the misidentification of a new species. Brief diagnosis, photographs and a distribution map of the new species and P. socheunensis with discussion on their sympatric distribution are provided.

The genus Conicera Meigen is a group of necrophagous phorid flies mostly associated with carrion, including C. tibialis, commonly known as the “coffin fly” that breeds in buried corpses. In this study, specimens of the Conicera species collected from South Korea are examined morphologically on the basis of characteristics on male antennae, sensory organ on midfemora, and left and right surstyli on hypopygium. As a result, five species, viz. C. dauci, C. gracilis, C. orientalis, C. pacifica, C. quadrata are newly recorded from South Korea. Photographs of diagnostic characters, a distribution map and a key to males of South Korean species are provided.

The genus Norbanus Walker 1843 (Pteromalidae: Pteromalinae) consists of 38 species distributed worldwide. Among them, 13 species have been described from the West and Central Palaearctic (Noyes 2003). Norbanus is one of several pteromalid genera that shares the character of a narrow spicula on the clava. In Korea, only one species in the genus Norbanus is recorded. In this study, we report Norbanus meridionalis for the first time in South Koera. We provided description and diagonostic illustration of Norbanus meridionalis.

Riptortus pedestris has established symbiotic interactions with specific bacteria from soil environment in every generations. The soil environment is extremely heterogeneous with microbial diversity, suggesting that bacterial composition of the R. pedestris can be affected by surrounding environments. Therefore, we investigated spatiotemporal variation of bacterial communities in wild R. pedestris collected from five mainland areas and Jeju Island in South Korea across insect generations. Among the 390 R. pedestris adults collected, we detected a total of 28 bacterial genera from the symbiotic region of insects. Among the bacterial genera, genus Caballeronia bacteria was the most abundantly detected regardless of sampling site and generation. Nevertheless, bacterial richness varied among the insect generations with 10 genera detected in overwintered generation, 15 genera in the 1st generation and 18 genera in the 2nd generation. Moreover, we found five bacterial genera that were exclusively detected from the Jeju island compared to the mainland areas surveyed.

It is widely known that forage corn is one of the most important crops in the production of silage and green chops during the summer months. In this study, the characteristics and the productivity of Kwangpyeongok, AGR 41, and Nero IT corn cultivars were evaluated in the regions of Jeju and Cheonan, Korea between 2021 and 2022. In each year, different corn cultivars were sown in different parts of the country on April 7 in Jeju and May 3 in Cheonan. The yield of three cultivars, Kwangpyeongok, AGR 41, and Nero IT were measured at the yellow-ripening stage, including the leaves and stems (Stover) and corn grain. Kwangpyeongok stover and total dry matter (DM) yields were slightly higher in Cheonan than in Jeju over the past two years. The quantity of corn cultivated in all cultivated areas was similar. The average yield of AGR 41, corn quantity and total DM were slightly higher in Jeju than in Cheonan. In terms of stover yield, and total dry matter content of the Nero IT cultivar cultivated in Jeju had a slightly higher yield than the cultivar cultivated in Cheonan. Based on this study, all cultivars can show some variations but not too much in terms of growth productivity and distinct characteristics depending on their location. Overall, AGR 41, and Nero IT cultivars in Jeju exhibit slightly higher levels of productivity than the same cultivars in Cheonan.

This study was conducted to determine the appropriate seeding dates by verifying the difference in winter survival and productivity of alfalfa according to fall sowing dates in the central area of South Korea. The experiment was conducted for 2 years (2020 and 2021) at the field in the Department of Animal Resources Development, NIAS located in Cheonan. Sowing dates started from September 18 to November 8 with 10 days of intervals during 2020 and 2021; SO1 (September 18), SO2 (September 28), SO3 (October 8), SO4 (October 18), SO5 (October 28), and SO6 (November 8). After sowing, the winter survival rate was measured in the spring of the following year, and the dry matter yield was measured by harvesting at 10% flowering and harvesting five times a year. SO6 failed to winter survival, and SO5 also had a lower winter survival rate than SO1~4 (p<0.05). The average annual dry matter yield of alfalfa linearly decreased with delaying sowing dates (p<0.05). The feed value did not differ in the same year by delaying the sowing date in the same year. These results suggest that sowing date should be started before October 18 to increase winter survival and productivity of alfalfa in the central area of South Korea.

Regarding to diagnosis for bovine brucellosis, more than one serological test should be conducted to confirm the infection by Brucella with a reliable result due to various factors including false positive serological reactions. In this study, we compared confirmatory serological tests to determine the appropriate way to detect and confirm the Brucella infection in South Korea. Several serological tests, including serum agglutination test (SAT), indirect (I)- and competitive (C)-ELISA, and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA), for detection of bovine brucellosis were performed with sera from 537 cattle. In addition, comparison of diagnostic efficacy was performed with bacterial isolation represented true positive. Of 537 serum samples, 426 (79.3% of prevalence), 433 (80.6%), 414 (77.1%), and 409 (76.2%) sera were positive for SAT, C-ELISA, I-ELISA, and FPA respectively. Based on the results of serology, the correlation among the serological tests revealed observed agreements of more than 92% with kappa (k) value of more than 0.77. The correlation between serological tests with bacterial isolation appeared observed agreements of between 79.9% and 84.7% with k value of between 0.42 and 0.59. Particularly, FPA recorded almost perfect agreements with C-ELISA and I-ELISA as well as the highest correlation with bacterial isolation. Accordingly, this investigation presented the comparison of correlation and diagnostic efficacy of serological tests for bovine brucellosis in South Korea. We suggest this finding will be a useful data to re-establish the potential serological diagnostic methods that can apply to maintain the low prevalence.

The invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is native to southcentral United States and northeastern Mexico. Recently, it has been being spreading in the wild in South Korea. However, its primary sources, introduction routes, establishment, and expansion in South Korea remain unclear. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity and population genetic structures of its domestic natural populations during early invasion, commercial stock from local aquaria (a suspected introduction source), and original United States population using mitochondrial COI gene sequences for 267 individuals and eight microsatellite markers for 158 individuals. Natural and commercial populations of P. clarkii showed reduced genetic diversity (e.g., haplotype diversity and allelic richness). The highest genetic diversity was observed in one original source population based on both genetic markers. Despite a large number of individuals in commercial aquaria, we detected remarkably low genetic diversity and only three haplotypes among 226 individuals, suggesting an inbred population likely originating from a small founder group. Additionally, the low genetic diversity in the natural population indicates a small effective population size during early establishment of P. clarkii in South Korea. Interestingly, genetic differentiation between natural populations and the United States population was lower than that between natural populations and aquarium populations. This suggests that various genetic types from the United States likely have entered different domestic aquariums, leading to distinct natural populations through separate pathways. Results of our study will provide an insight on the level of genetic divergence and population differentiation during the initial stage of invasion of non-indigenous species into new environments.

본 연구에서는 한국산 미기록속인 밑들이자루맵시벌속(신칭)과 미기록종인 밑들이짧은자루맵시벌(신칭)을 처음으로 보고한다. 밑들이자루 맵시벌속은 잎벌류에 기생하는 것으로 알려져 있으며, 배마디 끝부분이 위쪽으로 굽어져있는 것이 특징이다. 본 논문에는 미기록속, 미기록종의 기 재문과 사진을 제공한다.

최근 국내에서 외래 곤충인 (가칭)마른나무흰개미(Cryptotermes domesticus)가 서울에 위치한 주택에서 발견되었다. 이 종은 국내에 정착할 경우 잠재적으로 목재나 목조건물에 피해를 줄 수 있어 시급한 국내 발생 조사가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 종 분포 모델 기법을 활용하여 마른나 무흰개미의 정착 가능성과 관련된 기후적합성을 추정하는 것을 목표로 하였다. 문헌 자료를 바탕으로 전세계 분포 정보를 수집하고, 생물기후변 수를 활용하여 4개의 모델링 알고리즘으로 기후적합성 예측 모델을 구동하였다. 개발한 모델들의 결과를 종합하여 최종적으로 마른나무흰개미 의 평균 발생 확률로 표현되는 앙상블 모델을 개발하였다. 그 결과 마른나무흰개미는 열대 지방에서에서 해양성 기후를 보이는 연안이나 도서지 역에서 기후적합성이 높을 것으로 예상되었다. 국내에서는 기후적합성이 전반적으로 낮을 것으로 추정되었다. 하지만, 마른나무흰개미의 정착 및 확산 가능성을 염두해두고, 최근 발생이 보고된 지점을 중심으로 정밀 역학 조사가 필요할 것으로 보인다.

This study aims to analyze the income structure, cost structure, and profit structure based on data related to the business performance of the boat seine fishery from 1990 to 2020, and to identify the direct and indirect factors affecting fishery profitability through panel regression analysis. The main analysis results are as follows. First, it was found that fish catch has a significant amount of impact on fishery profitability, which is a key factor in improving the profitability of anchovy boat seine fishery. Second, it is necessary to develop carbon-reduced fishing gear, develop fleet-reduced fishing gear, and improve the operating system in order to increase fishery profitability for the short run. Third, it is necessary to create and maintain sustainable profitability for the long run, the continuous fishing vessels buyback program, an active responses to climate change, and the follow-up investigations about marine aggregate extraction in the south sea EEZ are needed.

The consumption of ready-to-eat side dishes is rapidly growing in South Korea. These foods are particularly vulnerable to microbiological contamination as they are often cooked without any treatment, such as heating or stored at room temperature after cooking. Hence, in 2022, we analyzed the ready-to-eat side dishes sold in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea for microbiological contamination. We collected 100 samples from supermarkets in 7 cities, and then examined them for presence of food-borne pathogens and sanitary indicator bacteria. In the analysis of the food-borne pathogens, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were isolated from 51 samples (51.0%) and 3 samples (3.0%), respectively. However, both quantitatively met the Korean Food Standards Codex. Genes of five different enterotoxins and one emetic toxin were analyzed from the 51 isolated B. cereus strains. We detected enterotoxin entFM (100.0%), nheA (94.1%), hblC (58.8%), cytK (56.9%), and bceT (41.2%) in 51 isolates, and emetic toxin gene, CER, in only one (2.0%) isolate. We did not detect C. perfringens toxin gene (cpe) that causes food poisoning in any one of the three C. perfringens isolates. In the case of sanitary indicator bacteria, Kimchi had the highest levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms, followed by Saengchae, Jeotgal, Jeolim, Namul, and Jorim, respectively. We counted total aerobic bacteria at two different storage temperatures (4oC and 20oC) to determine the effect of storage temperature. When stored at 20oC, total aerobic bacteria count increased in most of the ready-to-eat side dishes, except for Jeotgal. This result conclusively shows the need for refrigerating the ready-to-eat side dishes after purchase. Further research is needed to assess the risk and safety of the ready-to-eat side dishes available in the market and determine appropriate safety management practices.