Agroecosystem is a concurrence of highly complicated interaction such as crop and pest. An agroecosystem can be viewed as a subset of a conventional ecosystem, for example, to identify the pest distribution or seasonal population fluctuations etc. These are really important investigation to set the IPM strategy. With these study, now we focused on sophisticated interaction between pest and their parasite in genome and transcriptome level. We studied these interesting interaction between diamondback moth Plutella xylostella which major pests in cabbage and Diadegma fenestrale as a model endoparasitic wasp. Actually, D. fenestrale was NOT alone because it has symbiotic virus, D. fenestrale Ichnovirus (DfIV). We will deeply discussed these interaction between P. xylostella and D. fenestrale with DfIV.

 ,  , The larvicidal activities of Piper nigrum fruit methanol extracts and its constituents against larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, were investigated using the leaf dipping method. Administering the P. nigrum methanol extract resulted in 100 and 97% mortality against diamondback moth larvae at 5.0 and 2.5 mg/mL concentrations, respectively. Larvicidal activities of the P. nigrum fruit-derived piperidine alkaloids, piperine, and N-isobutylamide, as well as pellitorine, guineensine, pipercide, and retrofractamide A against P. xylostella varied according to test compound. Based on the 48 h LC50 values, the most toxic compound to diamondback moth larvae was guineensine (0.013 mg/mL) followed by retrofractamide A (0.020mg/mL), pipercide (0.033mg/mL), and pellitorine (0.046 mg/mL). The LC50 value of piperine was >, 0.5 mg/mL.

Potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a serious pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants in the fields from warm temperate to tropical climates, and tubers stored under ambient temperatures post-harvest. In recent years, concerns on PTM occurrence and damage to potato are increasing due to climate change resulted in global warming. To search potent natural enemies of PTM, we collected >150 PTM larvae from potato fields in Jeju-do in May, 2009 and then reared in the room until wasp adults emerging, which was identified by Lee J.W. as Diadegma fenestrale (tentative Korean name, 감자뿔나방맵시벌). This is the first report in Korea. When supplied 10% sugar solution on adults to rear, the longevity was 12.2±2.0 day, which was much longer than supplied with only water (5.0±1.4 day) or none (3.1±1.1 day). When the 2nd larvae of PTM, 10 days after hatch, dwelled in potato tubers were supplied to parasitoid adults for parasitization, the developmental periods from egg oviposition to adult emergence was 24.0±2.9 day, and the sex ratio of newly emerged adults was 0.27. The parasitization ratio indoor showed a kaleidoscopic characteristics, ranged from 30.0% to 71.4%. It represented that many factors might be related for the successful parasitization to PTM larvae.

Maize weevil (Sittophilus zeamais) and Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) are the dominant species among the stored grain insect pests of the rice grain and bran. This experiment was conducted to investigate developmental characteristic and damages of S. zeamais and P. interpunctella on the rice. Under five constant temperatures, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35℃, developmental periods from egg to adult of Sittophilus zeamais were 43.0, 36.4, 29.2, 20.8 and 16.3 days, respectively. With egg periods being 9.6, 7.3, 5.2, 3.2 and 2.6 days, and larval periods being 25.2, 22.6, 19.8, 14.5 and 11.3 days, and adult periods being 129.3, 116.1, 108.6, 89.2 and 73.3 days, respectively. Damages of S. zeamais adult at 15, 20, 25 and 30℃ were 67.2, 96.2, 134.0 and 174.5 for 24hr on the rice. Damages of P. interpunctella larval 15, 20, 25 and 30℃ were 56.2, 78.3, 109.4 and 138.7 for 24hr on the rice. The duration of maximum occurrence were June to August for S. zeamais, late May to early August for P. interpunctella.

Many insects overwinter in diapause in the temperate region. Winter diapause often terminates far yearly than our thought, eg. Many in December. After diapause termination, insect becomes in quiescence. The lower developmental threshold of overwintering Oriental fruit moth larvae is in the range of 7.5-8.4℃ depending on the geographic location. We have determined the developmental period of overwintering OFM larvae from the time series interval collection. Collections were made from mid Jan to late March at 10d interval. Collected larvae were held in a cold chamber at 6°C for 5 days, and then subjected at 20°C with 75% R.H., 16:8(L:D).hr. The developmental period from overwintering cocooned larvae to adults was longest in mid. January collections, became shorter after 31 Jan. collection, then gradually decreased until mid March. Cocooned larvae developmental period became shorter after 31 Jan. while that of pupae became shorter after 20 Feb. During this study, female ratio was not different to 0.5. Mortality of winter collected larvae to adults was 45% including 30% parasitism. Partial explanation of the insect development under the lower developmental threshold was discussed; limitation of linear model estimation, temperature data quality and physiological metabolism after diapause termination. From January to February, daily average temperature fluctuated but under the lower developmental threshold. However, daily maximum temperature became noticeably higher than the lower developmental threshold after 20 Jan. However, this result indicates that after late Jan, physiological state of OFM is altered.

Mine and gall makers among Lepidoptera are found in the family Gracillariidae. The genus Borboryctis Kumata et Kuroko, 1988, have 2 species B. euryae Kumata et Kuroko and B. triplaca (Mayrick). B. euryae is known a gall maker of Eurya spp. In this study, Borboryctis euryae Kumata et Kuroko, 1988 feeding on Eurya japonica Thunb. and E. emarginata Makino (Theaceae), is reported for the first time from Is. Jeju and Geoje, Korea. The host plant, Eurya spp. an evergreen tree, is widely distributed in East Asia including Korea. The early instar larva makes linear mine near the surface of the leaves and mature larva makes gall on the leaves of the host plant. Larval frass ejected behaviour were not observed. The mature larva makes a light brown spindle-shape cocoon on the somewhere of the host plant, mainly edge of the leaf. The descriptions and figures of the male and female genitalia, mine, gall, larvae and pupae in immature stages, are provided.

 ,  , The damage rates of peach pyralid moth(Dichocrocis punctiferalis), which damages the chestnut fruits, were investigated annually from 1995 to 2010 according to year, region, and maturity. The damage rate by D. punctiferalis was the highest (34.5%) in 1998 and was the lowest (17.9%) in 2000. The pattern of the damage rate showed a repeating three-year cycle. There was a negative correlation (-0.6261<, SUP>, *<, /SUP>, ) between rainfall and damage rate. There was a positive correlation (0.5826<, SUP>, *<, /SUP>, ) between temperature and damage rate. The average damage rate of all surveyed regions was 22.2%. Of the surveyed areas, Hapcheon had the highest at 27% and Hamyang had the lowest at 15.0%. The damage rate of chestnut fruit depending on the maturity was 26.1% in an early maturing cultivar (Dantaek), and 19.3% and 21.1% in a late maturing cultivar (Eungi) and a medium maturing cultivar (Chukpa), respectively.

From the methanol crude extracts of the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) leaves, the antifeedant substance was isolated and bioassayed with different concentrations against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae. The antifeeding activity was evaluated by measuring the feeding area during 24 hr after inoculation. Methanol extracts showing antifeeding activity at 5000 ppm was subsequently fractionated into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water layer. Third larvae of diamondback moth was tested to each fraction layer. Chloroform layer shows the highest antifeeding activity and the layer was purified by silica gel open column chromatography. The C22 and C23 fractions showed higher antifeeding ratio with 96 and 86%, respectively, and then these two fractions were re-isolated by ODS open column chromatography. As a result, both fractions in methanol 40% (v/v) showed antifeeding ratio over 90%. The C221 fraction showed insecticidal activity in all fraction, however, C231 fraction was showed the antifeeding activity only in C2311 fraction. The C2311 fraction judging to have antifeeding activity was re-isolated and purified by HPLC and recycling, and finally obtained the bioactive substances (C23111) with antifeeding ratio with 88%. The structure of bioactive materials isolated was confirmed by LC-mass and 1H-NMR(500 MHz), 13C-NMR(100 MHz).

Potato tuber moth (PTM) has been a destructive pest on potato in the fields and strores through tropical to subtropical area. According to global warming, PTM distribution limit in Korea is facing north gradually. Recently, potato fields damaged by PTM are reported intermittently in the midsection of a country and southward. To secure a sufficient number of insect with equal growth stage is a prerequisite for investigating bionomics and developing new agrochemicals to control pests. In 2009, we collected PTM larvae first from the potato fields in Miryang and Gimcheon, and then placed them into transparent hexagonal rearing cage (30×30×30cm) with providing potato tubers as a food till emergence. A transparent cylindrical rearing cage (Φ15×30cm) erected vertically before putting emerged adults, and covered upper opening with net (50 mesh). To get eggs, we placed a filter paper (Φ11cm, called ‘oviposition paper’) on the net and sprinkled sugar solution. The oviposition paper laid eggs was stored in 10℃ refrigerator and changed with new one every 1~2 day interval. The developmental period of eggs to hatch was 5.2±0.7 days at 23±2℃, L16/D8 condition. Although adults laid eggs continuously for two weeks, second to fifth days after emergence showed highest oviposition, which suggested the most efficient periods for collecting sufficient eggs. A hatchability of eggs laid within 10 days after emergence was over 90%.

A remote sensing pheromone trap called IT pheromone trap (Korean patent: 10-0982563) was applied to monitor overwintering population changes of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta, for three successive years in apple orchards. Males of the overwintering populations were attracted during April and May. However, the occurrence peak was delayed and extended to early June in 2010, at which the average spring temperature was significantly lower than the previous years. These overwintering populations could be monitored by the remote-sensing pheromone trap. When the remote-sensing pheromone traps were deployed to apple orchards of different provinces in Korea in 2010, the maximal overwintering populations of G. molesta were monitored at May in all areas. However, the population sizes monitored were significantly different among different localities. This study suggests a practical application of IT pheromone trap to monitor G. molesta in field conditions.

We investigated moth communities in Samcheok, Korea, to elucidate the influence of the East Coast Fire in 2000. Moths were collected with UV light traps 4 times a year from 2006 to 2009 at 3 sites: Unburned area (Site 1), Surface fire area (Site 2), and Crown fire area (Site 3) sites, respectively. A total of 3,804 individuals belonging to 727 species from 30 families were captured at the 3 study 1,727 individuals of 505 species (27 families) at Site 1, 1,193 individuals of 353 species (24 families) at Site 2, and 885 individuals of 340 species (25 families) at Site 3. Species richness and individuals of Noctuidae, Pyralidae, Geometridae, and Tortricidae were the highest at all 3 sites. All of species richness, individuals, and species diversity (H’) were the highest in Site 1 for 4 years. The index of similarity (α-Index) was higher between Site 2 and 3 in 2006, while higher between Site 1 and 2 in 2009. Moths were grouped into 16 categories by hosts of the larval stage. Individuals of moths of herbaceous feeding habit continuously decreased at Site 3, but proportion of individuals of tree feeding habits continuously increased. The present results showed that moth communities was relatively recovered according to vegetation change after forest fire and regeneration of moth communities in surface fire area was more faster than in crown fire area.

This study was performed to investigate the antifeeding activity of Perilla frutescens extracts against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella larvae and to confirm the electrophysiological responses of two sensilla (LST=lateral styloconic sensillum, MST=medial styloconic sensillum) in maxilla galea, a chemoreceptor. Crude extract of P. frutescens in methanol was showed antifeeding activity approximately 70%, and subsequently separated into four fractions - n-hexane(H), chloroform(C), ethylacetate(E), and water(W). Antifeeding activity was only showed in n-Hexane fraction around 99%. H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 were isolated from n-Hexane fraction using an open column chromatography, and the bioassay showed strongest antifeeding activity in H1 fraction. Using an oscilloscope, electrophysiological responses of two sensilla showed more seven times activity in MST. H11, H12, H13, H14 were separated from H1 fraction and antifeeding activity was showed highest in H11 fraction. H11 fraction was examined electrophysiological responses at doses of 100, 10, and 1 ppm, and MST of P. xylostella responded at a dose of 100 ppm. H11 fraction was separated using HPLC and identified using GC/MS and NMR. Finally, the structure of active compound proved to be farnesene with molecular weight of 204, and a formula of C15H24

A quantitative sequencing (QS) protocol was established for predicting the frequencies of the A298S and G324A mutations in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) type-1 acetylcholinesterase locus, putatively involved with organophosphate and carbamate insecticideresistance. The nucleotide signal ratio at each mutation site was generated from sequencing chromatograms and plotted against the corresponding resistance allele frequency. Frequency prediction equations were generatedfrom the plots by linear regression, and the signal ratios were shown to highly correlated with resistance allele frequencies (r2>0.987). QS analysis of 15 representative regional field populations of DBM in Korea revealed that the allele frequencies of both A298S and G324A were over 70% in most field populations. As judged by inhibition assay, all populations showed resistance to paraoxon, DDVP, carbaryl, and carbofuran. In addition, different DBM strains exhibited differential sensitivities to both OPs and CBs depending on the structure of inhibitor, implying that the resistance of DBM against OPs and CBs is saturated and widespread in Korea.

This study was conducted to investigate the change of moth communities by the effect of forest fire in Samcheok, Korea. Moths were collected 4 times a year from 2006 to 2009 with UV light traps at 3sites: Unburned area (Site 1), Surface fire area (Site 2), and Crown fire area (Site 3). A total of 3,804 individuals belonging to 727 species from 30 families were captured at the 3 sites. A total of 3,804 individuals belonging to 727 species from 30 families were captured at the 3 sites: 1,727 individuals of 505 species (27 families) at Site 1, 1,193 individuals of 353 species (24 families) at Site 2, 885 individuals of 340 species (25 families). The index of similarity (Index α) was higher between Site 2 and 3 in 2006, while higher between Site 1 and 2 in 2009. Moths were grouped into 16 categories by hosts of the larva stage. Based on our results, we discussed the change of moth communities by the effect of forest fire.

The larval parasitoid, Bracon hebetor, attacks third or older larvae of indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella), which results in laying eggs or simply paralyzing the larvae. We studied the influence of the parasitoid’s attack on the larval development of indianmeal moth. The third larval instars of the same age were collected from the experimental colonies and each larva introduced in an acrylic cube (2 x 2 x 2 cm) treated with: 1) empty, 2) three rice grains, 3) three rice grains and a female parasitoid without ovipositor (by removing) and 4) three rice grains and a paralyzed larva. The larval activity in the experimental cube was photographed every five minutes until the larva died or pupated. Only the larvae in the cube with paralyzed larvae could pupate and emerge. The other larvae in the three treatments died before pupating, although the survival time was significantly different in relation to the treatment (F=5.27; df=2,14; P=0.019); the larvae in the empty cube had a shorter survival time than those in the rest of treatments. The results indicated that the paralyzed larvae could be fed by the health larvae and contribute to prevent population crush in the situation of food shortage with the presence of the parasitoids. The host parasitoid interaction between indianmeal moth and Bracon hebetor might not always be negative to the indianmeal moth population.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is one of the most important pests of cole crops in the world and is the first insect to evolve resistance to Bt toxins in open-field populations. To search for useful molecular markers for Bt reistance monitoring, the PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles of three aminopeptidase N (PxAPN1, PxAPN2 and PxAPN4) were determined for 15 representative regional field populations of P. xylostella. Most regional samples had similar RFLP patterns, whereas PxAPN1 from four regions and PxAPN4 from two regions showed different banding patterns after restriction enzyme treatment, but no differences were found in PxAPN2 among populations. The DNA sequence analysis revealed that a point mutation at the restriction site was responsible for the polymorphism of PxAPN1 but no mutations were observed in PxAPN4. Comparing amino acid sequences of PxAPNs from regional populations with reference PxAPNs (GenBank accession no. AAB70755) revealed that four regional populations possessed a point mutation in the Cry1A binding site of PxAPN1 and five regional populations possessed a deletion of eight amino acids in PxAPN4. These RFLP patterns were consistently observed in Southern regions of Korea, including Kyungsangnam-Do and Jeju-Do. The functional association of these RFLP with Bt resistance is currently under investigation

Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.), the most destructive pest of cruciferous crops, is well-known as typical subtropical insect pest. A number of biological agents such as diseases, parasites and predators can affect populations of DBM in the fields negatively. In previous reports, we suggested Cotesia glomerata, Diadegma semiclusum, and Microplitis plutellae as promising natural enemies to DBM control at highland areas, but these species are larval parasitoids. In 2004~2009, we searched highland fields cultivating various cruciferous crops for PUPAL parasitoids which can supplement the unsatisfactory parasitism in the augmentative release of larval parasitoids. We obtained adults of hymenopteran parasitoid from DBM pupae in early July at Hoengseong region (asl 540 m), and then identified as Diadromus sp., although being a critical species so far. This parasitoid showed high rate of parasitism, about 13.2%, in mid October at the same region. Development period from oviposition to emergence of Diadromus sp. ranged from 14 to 18 days under 23℃ condition. Adult longevity, > three weeks, was longer when it was provided with 10% sugar solution as food than with water only or without food. Male adults mated as soon as emerging from parasitized DBM pupae, and laid eggs into DBM pupae for a week. Parasitism by Diadromus sp. was highest on 7th day after emergence. In contrast, lethality of DBM pupae which were not parasitized by wasps showed 60% on average for seven days. Parasitized DBM pupae could be stored at 10℃ for two weeks. The simultaneous augmentative release of larval parasitoids and pupal parasitoids can be an important component to integrated DBM management program in the future.

The perilla leaf pyralid moth, Pyrausta panopealis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious pest damaging to leaf perilla. In order to establish the life parameters of P. panopealis for eventual purpose of control, the developmental span of each stage were investigated under five temperature regimes (20℃ ~ 3 0℃). In addition, the larvicial efficacy of several on-the-market environment-friendly agricultural materials (EFAMs) was tested. The width of head capsule at each larval stage measured to be the mean of 0.21, 0.32, 0.47, 0.64, and 0.98 mm, respectively. The larval period of P. panopealis was longest at 20ºC as 27.0 days and shortened as temperature goes up to 30ºC as 11.3 days. Survivorship of the larval P. panopealis was the highest at 30ºC as 80%, whereas that of other temperatures ranged from 40% (20ºC) to 62.5% (27.5ºC), indicating that the P. panopealis appears to favor higher temperature. In addition to larval period, the duration of egg, prepupa, and pupa stages also shortened as temperature goes up, whereas the duration of adult stage increased as temperature goes up: from 4.1 days at 20 ºC to 6.1 days at 30ºC. After the perilla leaf pyralid moths were successfully stabilized in indoor environment the larvicidal efficacy of the ten EFAMs that were previously selected from the result of other moth species was tested aimed at 4th instar larvae for 48 hrs. Seven of the ten tested showed more than 90% of mortality within 12 hrs and reached nearly up to 100% within 24 hrs, but the remaining three showed less than ~70%.

The life table statistics of diamondback moth on the transgenic Chinese cabbage (line: SKCP) with myrosinase gene was compared with that on the non transgenic Chinese cabbage (line: SC) at 25±1℃. Adult life span and number of progeny of P. xylostella on the SC and SKCP lines were similar to each other. The sex ratio, developmental period, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase of P. xylostella on SC and SKCP were not significantly different in both treatments (sex rati t=-1.60; df=220; P=0.1108, developmental period: t=-0.55; df=220; P=0.5803, intrinsic rate of increase: t=-0.11; df=45; P=0.9172). However, the finite rate of increase and net reproduction were significantly different in between SC and SKCP lines (finite rate of increase: t=2.26; df=45; P=0.0287, net reproduction: t=2.08; df=45; P=0.0442). This work was supported financially by Biogreen21 project of Rural Development Administration (No. 20070301-034-010)

Acrolepiopsis nagaimo (Yasuda, 2000) belonging to the family Acrolepiidae (Lepidoptera) is newly discovered in Korea. The species was first collected wild at Wol-ak-san [Mt.] a few years ago and they were recently found to infest Chinese yam, Dioscoreabatatas at a Chinese yam experimental field of the Institute for Bioresources Research located at Andong. Diagnostic characteristics of the adult are described and photographs of adult and male and female genitalia are provided.