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.

Vespa binghami (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is one of the 10 species in the genus Vespa distributed in South Korea and is the only nocturnal wasp. In this study, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species using the Sanger method and using Vespa-specific 30 primer sets. The length of V. binghami was 15,957 bp and the total A/T content was 80.6%. The A+T-rich region of V. binghami was 152 bp, and other Vespa species ranged from 39 bp (V. velutina) to 2,230 bp (V. v. auraria). Compared to the majority of insects, the gene arrangement of V. binghami had differences as followings: trnY-trnI-trnM-trnQ, trnN-trnE-trnS1-trnF, and trnS2-trnL1. However, all species in the genus Vespa registered in GenBank to date were composed of the same arrangement. Phylogenetic analysis using 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes showed the sister relationship between V. binghami and V. orientalis with the higher nodal supports.

뒷흰가는줄무늬밤나방은 쌀, 밀, 옥수수와 같은 농작물에 피해를 주는 해충이다. 본 연구에서는 국내 뒷흰가는줄무늬밤나방의 미토콘드리아 게놈(15,314b)을 분석하였다. 13개의PCG와2개의 rRNA (13,376bp)를 연결한 서열을 사용한 계통발생 분석 결과, 뒷흰가는줄무늬밤나방과 멸 강나방 사이의 가장 높은 노드 수치로 자매분류군을 형성하였다. 밤나방상과(Noctuoidea)의 각 과(Noctuidae, Euteliidae, Nolidae, Erebidae 및 Notodontidae)들은 가장 높은 노드수치로 단계통을 형성하였다.

Vespula rufa (Linnaeus, 1758), known as the red wasp, is a social wasp species. We analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of V. rufa from South Korea, for an ongoing systematic study of the Korean Vespidae. This species is distributed in northern parts of North America, northern and central Europe, and parts of Asia. It can be distinguished from other species of the genus by usually having reddish brown areas on the 1st and 2nd tergites. The mitogenome is 17,663 bp in length, includes 13 protein-coding genes, 24 transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes. The nucleotide composition is 40.5% adenines, 43.00% thymines, 6.1% guanines, and 10.4 % cytosines.

The insect industry in Korea is currently undergoing steady expansion. Among the various insects kept as pets or for educational purposes, four mantis species, including Hierodula patellifera (Audinet-Serville), Tenodera sinensis Saussure, Tenodera angustipennis Saussure, and Statilia maculata (Thunberg), are becoming increasingly popular, leading to higher demand. As we aimed to raise mantises, we collected oothecae, some of which were found to be parasitized by dermestid beetles. These parasitoids have been unequivocally identified as Thaumaglossa rufocapillata Redtenbacher based on morphological characters. A diagnosis, habitus photographs, and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided to facilitate identification. We also present the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of T. rufocapillata for providing fundamental data for research aimed at controlling pests in the insect industry.

Ceriagrion nipponicum (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) is listed as climate-sensitive indicator species in Korea and now expands its range northward. In this study, we sequenced complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species collected from South Korea for comparatively analysis in damselflies and to detect the genes suitable for subsequent population genetic study. Comparison of the mitogenomes from two geographic samples of C. nipponicum showed the highest variation in ND4 and ND1, whereas no variation was detected in COI, warranting usefulness of the two genes for subsequent population-level study. Phylogenetic analysis using 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs in Zygoptera showed non-monophyletic Coenagrionidae, forming two groups.

애긴노린재는 긴노린재과에 속하며 한국을 포함한 동아시아 국가의 다양한 곡물 및 관상용 식물의 주요 해충으로 여겨진다. 본 연구에서는 애긴노린재의 17,367 bp 미토콘드리아 유전체에서 13개의 protein-coding genes, 22개의 transfer RNA genes, 2개의 ribosomal RNA genes 과 non-coding A+T rich region를 확인하였다. G+C content는 23%로 나타났고 다른 긴노린재과와의 염기서열 유사성이 N. cymoides (94.5%), N. fuscovittatus (91.7%)으로 높은 것을 발견하였다. 애긴노린재의 미토콘드리아 유전체 정보는 향후 긴노린재과의 진화 연구와 해충 방제를 위한 정보로 널리 사용될 수 있다.