Two closely related species, the soybean podworm, Matsumuraeses phaseoli, and the podborer, M. falcana, gives differential economic damages on crops. It is difficult to discriminate these potential sympatric species by morphological characters. The goal of this study was to develop a discriminating molecular marker based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A partial genomic fragment (500 bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidaseⅠ (mtCOI) was sequenced in both species, in which restriction site by Rsa I was selected as a dichotomous marker. PCR-RFLP in the mtCOI region clearly discriminated both species.

This study was carried out to identify the sex pheromone of the soybean podworm, Matsumuraeses phaseoli. EAG response of M. phaseoli male antenna to various chemical compounds were examined. Of them, (E,E)-8,10-dodecadienyl acetate (E8E10-12:Ac) and (E)-8-dodecenyl acetate (E8-12:Ac) were most EAG-active. The abdominal tips of M. phaseoli females were extracted with distilled hexane 4h after light-off for 30 min. In an electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), female extracts showed two EAG-active components. In a GC-MS analysis, three components (E8E10-12:Ac, E8-12:Ac, and (E,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate) were identical with those of authentic standards following the retention time and their ratio was 7: 1: 1. Of these three components, EAG responses of M. phaseoli males to E8E10-12:Ac and E8-12:Ac were significantly dose-dependent. Field effectiveness of these components remains to be evaluated.

Two lepidopteran species, Matsumuraeses phaseoli (Matsumura) and Maruca vitrata (syn. M. testulalis) (Fabricius) were reared on artificial diets, and analyzed in their developmental characteristics. Photoperiod was supplied with 16L/8D for M. phaseoli and with 13L/11D for M. vitrata, respectively. Both species passed five larval instars with discrete sizes of head capsule width. In a constant environment (25℃ and 65%RH), the developmental period of M. phaseoli egg, larva and pupa was 3.9, ca. 16.0 and 8.9 days, respectively, and over 80% of M. phaseoli larvae could develop into pupae, most of which emerged into adults. Newly laid eggs could be stored at 5℃ for 15 days with over 50% hatchability. Similar developmental traits were shown in M. vitrata. However, a low temperature preservation was not applicable to M vitrata eggs.