소형 곤충으로 좁은 틈새에 있는 총채벌레는 종종 살충제 살포에 노출되기 어렵다. 이에 접촉페로몬을 처리하여 은둔행동을 막으려는 행동 교란 방제 전략을 세웠다. 꽃노랑총채벌레(Frankliniella occidentalis)에서 밝혀진 접촉페로몬은 7-methyltricosane (7TM)으로 본 연구에서는 먹이에 이 물질을 처리하여 행동 교란 유무를 생물검정하였다. 이 접촉페로몬은 유충에게 영향을 주지 않았지만 수컷 성충으로 하여금 처리된 먹 이로부터 회피하려는 행동을 유발하였다. 반면에 암컷 성충에게는 오히려 7TM이 처리된 지역으로 이동하는 행동을 유발하였다. 동일한 접촉페 로몬에 대해서 대만총채벌레(Frankliniella intonsa)에서도 유사한 행동 변화가 관찰되었다. 이러한 7TM에 기인한 총채벌레의 행동 변화를 살충 제 처리와 연결하여 고추를 가해하는 총채벌레류를 대상으로 방제효과를 검정하였다. 스피네토람 살충제 단독 처리에 비해 7TM과 혼합하여 처 리하면 총채벌레류 방제효율이 증가하였다. 흥미로운 점은 7TM 단독 처리로도 대만총채벌레 밀도에 일부 감소 효과를 보여 이 물질이 총채벌레 의 행동교란을 주는 것을 뒤받침하였다. 본 연구는 접촉페로몬 처리로 총채벌레의 살충제 회피 행동을 줄여 방제효과를 높인 새로운 해충방제기 술을 제시한다.

페로몬을 비롯한 화학통신물질들은 곤충의 화학 통신에 이용되는 물질들로 개체군 모니터링, 대량 포획 및 교미교란 등에 폭넓게 이용되 고 있다. 본 종설에서는 북방수염하늘소, 솔수염하늘소, 솔껍질깍지벌레, 광릉긴나무좀, 회양목명나방, 솔알락명나방, 매미나방, 복숭아유리나 방, 별박이자나방 등 국내 주요 산림해충의 페로몬 연구현황을 소개하고 국외의 연구 결과와 비교하였다. 국내 연구현황 분석을 통해 추후 산림 해충 페로몬 연구 방향을 제시하고 발전 방향에 대해 제언하였다.

성페로몬은 곤충 종 특이적으로 교미신호를 전달하는 화학신호물질이다. 곤충의 촉각에는 이러한 성페로몬 화학물질을 받아들이는 특이적 수용체를 지닌다. 성페로몬이 이 수용체에 결합하면서 감각전위를 발생시키고 이는 대뇌로 전달되어 정보 인식을 통해 교미행동을 유발하게 한다. 성페로몬은 또한 해충의 발생을 모니터링하는 데 이용되어 온도발육모델과 더불어 향후 발생상황을 예측하는 데 널리 이용되고 있다. 더불어 성페로몬이 해충의 대량포획, 유살 또는 교미교란을 유발하여 직접적으로 방제에 응용된다. 본 종설은 성페로몬과 관련된 곤충 생리 및 이를 이용한 해충관리기술을 소개한다.

세계 작물보호제의 개발 흐름은 화학농약보다 친환경제제에 더욱 집중하고 있다. 이는, 수십 년 동안 행해진 화학농약 의존 농업에 대한 경각심의 우회적 표출이며, 개선하려는 국제적 움직임으로 해석할 수 있다. 친환경제제 중 하나인 곤충페로몬 이용 제품은 화학농약을 대체하거나 감소시킬 수 있는 제제로 국내외적으로 평가받고 있다. 이러한 곤충페로몬을 이용한 친환경 제품이 국내농업에 사용된 지 약 16년이 되었다. 그동안 국내 농업시장에서 통용된 곤충페로몬 이용 제품에는 어떠한 것이 있었고, 시기 및 지역별로 제품 사용의 변화 확인을 통해 다양성을 향한 앞으로의 제품 개발과 활용을 토의하고자 한다. 또한, 곤충페로몬 방출기 관련 연구개발 지식 공유를 통해, 제품 및 기술 개발을 위한 논의를 하고자 한다.

In this study, we isolated and identified an aggregation-sex pheromone from Monochamus saltuarius, the major insectvector of the pine wood nematode in Korea. Adult male of M. saltuarius produces 2-undecyloxy-1-ethanol, which is knownto be an aggregation-sex pheromone in other Monochamus species. We performed field experiments to determine the attractivenessof the pheromone and other synergists. More M. saltuarius adult beetles were attracted to traps baited with the pheromonethan to unbaited traps. Ethanol and (-)-α-pinene interacted synergistically with the pheromone. Traps baited with pheromone+(-)-α-pinene+ethanol were more attractive to M. saltuarius adults than traps baited with pheromone, (-)-α-pinene, or ethanol alone.Ipsenol, ipsdienol, and limonene were also identified as synergists of the aggregation-sex pheromone for M. saltuarius adults.

Insect pests on cruciferous crops and their natural enemies were surveyed during 2009~2011 in Daegwallyeong highland region which has been famous for summer Kimchi cabbage production in Korea since 1970s. Totally 15 insect pests have been reported in cabbage field in Daegwallyeong. Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella) imported cabbage worm (Artogeia rapae L.), cabbage armyworm (CAW, Mamestra brassicae L.), cabbage looper (CL, Trichoplusia ni), cabbage sawfly (Athalia rosae ruficornis Jakovlev), and turnip aphid (Liphapis pseudobrassicae (Davis)) were the dominant pest species among the 15 species. For monitoring as well as controlling insects with weak flight, yellow sticky cards (10×15㎝) were used in cabbage fields. The sticky cards were hanged on plastic stick and placed at a 2-5 m distance within cabbage field (1,000㎡). Sex pheromone traps were employed for monitoring and controlling insects with strong flight. The survey result showed that there was significantly reduced pest occurrences in treated, compared to untreated condition. Similarly, The results from the sex pheromone traps were coincident with those of sticky trap. DBM, CAW and CL were found less in the treated than untreated fields; by 67.5%, 70.6% and 44.0%, respectively. Although the control efficacy of such traps was less than that of chemical spray, the use of sticky card trap combined with sex pheromone trap could be useful management tools for controlling insect pests in cabbage fields.

After firstly identified sex pheromone components of Bombxy mori, those of many insect pests were synthesized by organic chemistry methodology. These synthesized components were used for monitoring, mass trapping, and mating disruption during five decades. For identification of pheromone biosynthesis mechanisms and control to many pests bring to serious damages also were proceeded. The transcriptome analysis from pheromone glands by Next Generation Sequence (NGS) showed many genes and pathway involved on sex pheromone biosynthesis.. The two main genes involved on production of acetate and alcohol, and aldehyde from fatty acid, fatty acid desaturase and fatty acid reductase (FAR) were identified and functional characterized via gene introduction to Brewer’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This S. cerevisiae now used as a mediator as well as cell factory for sex pheromone producing. Recently, One group was published that the plant factory for producing via genetically modified plant (tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana) as a step of semisynthetic preparation. These trials will be suggest that firstly, the possibility of yeast as a molecular toolbox to produce pheromone components and secondly, a novel and cost-effective way of producing moderate to large quantities of pheromones with high purity and a minimum of hazardous waste.

Monoalkenyl acetates are used as one of lepidopteran pheromone components. However, (Z)-3-alkenylacetate as pheromone components is rarely known. Among them, (Z)-3-dodecenylacetate is used as pheromone components of Aproaerema anthyllidella and Tecia solanivora. Recently, (Z)-3-dodecenylacetate was identified as one of pheromone components for an insect pest in Korea (unpublisheddata). For the demand of development of mating disruption against thepest, large amount of (Z)-3-dodecenylacetate (Z3-C12Ac) was needed. Here, we reported the synthetic procedures for (Z)-3-decenylacetate (Z3-C12AC). The Grignard reagent from 1-decyne and ethyl magnesium bromide was reacted with ethylene oxide in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF). Thus synthesized 3-dodecyn-1-ol was reduced to (Z)-3-dodecen-1-ol (Z3-C12OH) by hydrogenation over Lindlar’s catalyst. The alcohol was acetylated to desired (Z)-3-dodecenylacetate (Z3-12Ac) with acetic anhydride by general procedures. The yield was 62.6% through the all procedures. Thepurity was 98.0% (by GC-MS). The isomeric purity was >99% (by NMR).

Neuropeptides are the largest group of neurohormones that act in intercellular communication to regulate various physiological and behavioral events during development and reproduction in animals. One of these families is Pyrokinin/PBAN (Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide) family defined by a similar 5-amino-acid C-terminal sequence (FXPRLamide) that is the active core fragment for these peptides. This motif has been identified from a variety of insect orders, and even a crustacean species. This family of peptides has been implicated in various physiological functions: 1) moth pheromone biosynthesis, 2) larval melanization, 3) moth embryonic and pupal diapause, 4) visceral muscle contraction in the cockroach, 5) fly puparium formation in different insect species. To date, ~159 PBAN/Pyrokinin family peptides have been identified from 40 species. It is one of the largest neuropeptide families in insects; however, the physiological function of most of these peptides is unknown. The mechanism of PBAN control over pheromone production is only well defined for sex pheromone biosynthesis in a limited number of lepidopteran moths. No other insect groups have been reported to regulate pheromone biosynthesis using PBAN. Conventional insecticides target synapses and/or sodium channels that result in neurotoxicity in the nervous system. Unfortunately, this mode of action affects non-target animals as well. These methods remain the major tool for pest control, and the side effects cause many global problems that result in increased environmental and human health expenses. Therefore, we are faced with a requirement to develop new targeted control agents that will lead to pesticides with new modes of action. This is not impossible, but not easy. Every species-specific neuropeptide is expected to play a critical physiological function in metamorphosis and development of insects. There are no exceptions. Our long-standing question is – “how can interference/disruption ofthe insect (neuro)hormonal system be used to discover novel control tools”. To solve this question a novel approach is being applied for finding and screening novel agonist and/or antagonist to gene products, neuropeptide and receptor, from the in vitro system and through virtual modeling. This concept will be a new paradigm opening the window for the next generation of the pest control, and the principle method will be adapted for insect specific pests. Another research interest here will be presented on exocrinal products, such as semiochemicals produced from insects and plants for chemical communication that regulates insect/insect and insect/host interactions. These studies have included the identification of pheromones and the biosynthetic pathway of their production from insects. The ultimate goal of this research is to discover novel biologically-based green pesticides that are environmental-friendly pest control alternatives.