The current inspection count for imported grains is 37,072. The scientific management of stored grain, which includes methodical pest identification and control procedures, is highly prioritized in the nations that export these grains. International documents on stored grain pests include a thorough description of all life phases, including mites and larvae, as well as methodical treatment techniques. They are more valuable than domestic manuals because of their comprehensive coverage and methodical management strategies. There is lack of genetic resources and photographs since the identification of stored grain pests in the domestic have been based on data from before 2017. During the course of 13 years(2010-2022) 1,469 incidences of stored grain pests were detected. Of these, 7 orders 34 families and 81 species had cases where the identification was confirmed down to the species level, for a total of 963 cases. This number shows that about 18% of the domestic quarantine site’s stored grain pests are not species-identified. Objectives in this study are to present genetic barcode data, high-resolution photoes for classification and identification, and information on international stored grain pest management techniques. Building on this, a new identification manuals for stored grain pests might be created, which would improve the site’s taxonomic identification levels.

With the increasing indroduction and spread of invasive quarantine pests, accurate diagnosis of pests detected in quarantine sites has become crucial. DNA barcoding, a standardized method that complements morphological analysis for rapid and precise species identification, is actively researched worldwide. In this study, we established a molecular biological identification system for major pests encountered during the import and export of agricultural and forestry products. By analyzing the DNA barcode sequences of pests collected domestically and those detected in quarantine inspections, we compiled genetic information for 1,292 individuals representing 472 species, 108 families across 11 insect orders. Among these, order Lepidoptera had the highest diversity, with 251 species across 27 families. We also secured barcodes for 52 species, 24 families in order Hemiptera, and 70 species, 20 families in order Coleoptera. By constructing a comprehensive biological foundation and database for various pests detected in quarantine sites, we aim to enhance the quarantine system by enabling rapid and accurate identification of invasive pests, thereby blocking early.

In countries without strong biosecurity systems, Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium poses a continuing threat to agriculture. Even when quarantine laws exist, the risk is greater if one of the world's most serious pests becomes introduced to imported stored grain. The rate of Khapra beetles introduced is rising sharply with increased transport, trade, travel, and tourism between countries and continents. Species identification is usually the key to success in Khapra beetle control programs. Countries that export/import grains, such as Australia, Canada, Russia, Korea and USA, must ensure that their ports, grain storage facilities, and transportation systems are free of khapra beetle. Researchers so far developed effective quarantine treatments and eradication strategies to deal with khapra beetle infestations that occur upon import at inland port. Khapra beetle introductions are likely to be impacted by a variety of factors, including trade flow and quarantine laws. In this study, we provide an overview of the current global quarantine laws, invasions of khapra beetle, and its control strategies.

Numerous Dermestidae insects are considered significant pests because of their capacity to inflict substantial economic harm on stored food items. Trogoderma and Attagenus genera members are commonly discovered in imported grain and other food products. Usually, infestations of these species consist of various species that reproduce quickly and spread effortlessly. The small size of Attagenus and Trogoderma stored-product stages makes it extremely challenging to identify them based on their morphological characteristics. Hence, it is imperative to have precise identification techniques in place to ensure the safety and dependability of the grain industry, as well as to streamline efficient plant quarantine measures. Various molecular methods have been employed for insect species identification, such as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), DNA sequence analysis, and species-specific primer PCR (SS-PCR) techniques. Despite the considerable focus on quickly identifying these species in stored products in recent years, there is a notable absence of systematic molecular identification. This research highlights the use of genetic techniques to differentiate between Trogoderma and Attagenus species.

We analyzed trend of plants (40 items) on imported seedlings using the Pest Information System (PIS) for the past 20 years. 530 species (9 order 336 genus) were found among 40 items on imported seedlings including Rosaceae, Arecaceae, Crassulaceae, and Fabaceae. Hemiptera were the most expected to be detected pest as 52%, followed by Coleoptera as 16%, Lepidoptera as 11%, and Diptera as 8% in potential detection rate. For prohibited pests, Tephritidae are the most common pests as 86% in approximately 60 prohibited species, including Bactrocera dorsalis, and Bactrocera tryoni in Diptera and Cydia pomonella in Lepidoptera.

Research on alternative fumigants to replace methyl bromide (MB), a harmful ozone-depleting substance and highly toxic pesticide, began in 2007. Initial tests focused on using ethyl formate for fruits and EDN for wood. Subsequently, alternative techniques were developed for a total of 94 plant types using ethyl formate, EDN, and phosphine, demonstrating Korea's superior performance compared to other countries, especially in practical applications. However, when it comes to wood products, the primary users of methyl bromide, EDN is scarcely used due to concerns about worker safety. An emerging alternative to MB is sulfuryl fluoride (SF), widely employed in North America to control wood-damaging pests like termites. SF's advantages include a lower boiling point and higher vapor pressure, making it effective against wood pests. Yet, certain bark beetle eggs require higher doses and longer treatment periods, resulting in established international standards (e.g., 120g/m3 for 48 hours at 20℃), posing challenges for field applications. Recently, the APQA initiated basic research to apply SF to wood. They are assessing SF's effectiveness against various wood-destroying pests, including termites, bark beetles, and long horn beetles, while also evaluating the feasibility of mixed treatments to reduce dosage. Once SF fumigation standards are established, it is expected to significantly reduce methyl bromide use in commonly used wood types, contributing to ozone layer protection and enhancing fumigation work safety.

Fumigation of fruits and vegetables during quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) treatment should be effective with a shorter fumigation time to minimize phytotoxicity. In this research study, a shorter fumigation time, 2 hours exposure which is shorter than that of the current commercial fumigation procedures using a lower dose of ethyl formate (EF) mixed with phosphine (PH3) on strawberry was investigated. The reciprocal effect between EF and PH3 against nymphs and adult Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Tetranychus urticae (Koch) was evaluated. In addition, L(Ct)50 and L(Ct)99 of EF only and EF mixed with PH3 were analyzed at 5°C and 20°C. The synergistic ratio (SR) of L(Ct)50 and L(Ct)99 for the nymph and adult stages of M. persicae were >1.0, which indicated a synergistic effect between EF and PH3. However, the SR values of L(Ct)50 and L(Ct)99 of the nymph and adult stages of T. urticae were ≤1.0 indicating that there was no synergistic effect between the two fumigants against T. urticae. Our results showed that the reciprocal effect between EF and PH3 has different effects on M. persicae and T. urticae. This could be attributed to the biological and physical differences between the class Arachnida and Insecta. The synergistic effect between EF and PH3 against M. persicae within a shorter exposure period and without phytotoxicity on fruits and vegetables will significantly benefit the horticultural industry.