Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas, 1865) is a major pest of agricultural crops. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of M. differentialis, which is 15,627 bp in length. The genome contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and an A+T-rich control region, with an overall nucleotide composition of 42.3% A, 32.5% T, 10.5% G, and 14.7% C. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs from available mitochondrial genomes of the family Acrididae. The results placed M. differentialis within the subfamily Melanoplinae, consistent with its current taxonomic classification. This newly sequenced mitochondrial genome provides a valuable resource for future studies on the evolution, phylogeny, and management of M. differentialis, enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of this economically important pest.

Mitochondrial genomes have been documented for select subspecies of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (the greater horseshoe bat); however, a lack of comprehensive population-level sequences continues to limit our understanding of its complex phylogeographic history. This study reports the complete mitochondrial genome of the R. ferrumequinum sampled from South Korea and sequenced at Hoseo University. The circular mitogenome is 16,795 bp in length and comprises the typical 37 mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes) and one non-coding control region, showing an overall base composition of GC content 42.74%. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial protein‑coding genes places this genome in R. ferrumequinum providing a new genomic resource for population genetics of horseshoe bats in East Asia.

We determined complete mitochondrial genome of Erpobdella sp. isolated in Korea. The circular mitochondrial genome of Erpobdella sp. is 15,469 bp long, which is longer than other three complete mitochondrial genomes of Erpobdella species. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNAs. Its GC ratio is 30.2%. Phylogenetic trees show that our mitochondrial genome is clustered in Erpobdellidae clade.

In this study, we have determined mitochondrial genome of Matsucoccus thunbergianae isolated in Korea. The circular mitogenome of M. thunbergianae is 15,406 bp including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNAs. AT ratio is 78.2%. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic trees show that M. thunbergianae is clustered with M. matsumurae, and family Margarodidae is clustered with family Pseudococcidae with enough supportive values.

Athalia japonica (Klug, 1815) is a significant insect pest of turnips in Korea. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species isolated in Korea is reported in this study, which is the first attempt to study Korean Athalia species. The circular genome is 15,662 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and an A+T-rich region. Consistent with most members of the genus Athalia, five of the tRNA genes are rearranged from the typical ground pattern of ancestral insect gene order. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the nucleotide sequences of 25 mitochondrial genomes indicate that the Korean A. japonica is a distinct member of the genus Athalia. This study accumulates mitochondrial genome data of A. japonica from various countries, providing useful information on mitochondrial genetic differences across geographical distances in the East Asian region.

Nicrophorus Fabricius, 1775, commonly known as necrophagous beetle, is associated with vertebrate carrion. Up to date, the genus consists of 72 species worldwide. In recent years, various phylogenetic studies explored on the evolution and relationship of the species in the genus. However, morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies produced conflicting results, continuing the problem over whether Nicrophrous quadraticollis is monotypic or not. The present study is to report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of N. quadraticollis that was sequenced in prior to a systematic research of Silphinae. It was 17,747bp in length and comprised 12 protein-coding genes(PCGs), 2 rRNA Genes, 22 tRNA Genes and one non-coding region. The nucleotide composition is 40.9% for A, 36.7% for T, 9.0% for G and 13.4% for C.

The clearwing moth, Synanthedon bicingulata (Staudinger, 1887), is a pest that infests various species of cherry trees. However, genetic information regarding the genus Synanthedon including S. bicingulata, is limited. In this study, we sequenced a complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species. The 16,255 bp of S. bicingulata mitogenome differs from the typical gene arrangement formed in Lepidoptera: trnQ-trnS2-trnM-trnI arrangement between the A+T-rich region and the ND2 junction. Moreover, the genome has untranslated repetitive sequences in the intergenic space between lrRNA and trnV, as well as the CGA start codon in COI and the TTG start codon in ATP8. Similar observations are noted in species belonging to the tribe Synanthedonini within the genus Synanthedon.

Tropilaelaps mercedesae Anderson and Morgan, 2007 (Acari: Laelapidae) is a serious ectoparasite of the brood of several honey bee species. Among the four recognized species of Tropilaelaps, Korean population was renamed as T. mercedesae from T. clareae on the basis of morphological evidences and genetic data. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of T. mercedesae. The 15,119-bp long mitogenome has an identical gene arrangement to that of Chinese sample reported previously. Comparison of two geographic samples showed COII, ND5, ND4, ND6, CytB, and ND1 to have higher number of variable sites than COI, which is often used for population-level study, suggesting these genes to have potential usefulness for population genetic study. The mitogenome sequence of T. mercedesae from Korea could be useful for species identification for geographic samples, trace of the origin of local populations, and illustration of evolutionary distinction among Tropilaelaps species either using part of or whole genome.

Bombyx mandarina (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), the presumed ancestor of the domesticated silkworm B. mori, has long been a subject of study to illustrate the geographic relationships in connection with origin of B. mori. We sequenced 100 mitochondrial genomes of B. mandarina collected from South Korea and Japan and these were combined with public data. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses showed that all individuals collected in South Korea, except one individual from Inje, formed a strong group together with northern China and some individuals of southern China. This group was placed as the sister group to B. mori strains, suggesting that this group could have been served as an immediate progenitor for B. mori. For further robust inference more analysis is underway.