This study is the identification of root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne hapla, from strawberry in Korea using molecular analyses. Strawberry plants showed localized stunting and galled roots. Molecular analyses of COⅡ/lrRNA, 28S rDNA D2-D3 segment and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were employed for the identification of Meloidogyne spp. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of COⅡ/lrRNA region produced a single fragment ca 528bp. Restriction digestion of the amplified PCR products with Dra1 enzyme produced two fragments at 200 and 250bp indication M. hapla. 28S rDNA D2-D3 segment and ITS were cloned and sequenced. 28S rDNA D2-D3 segment and ITS region produced a single fragment of 1004bp and 560bp, respectively. In BLAST search in Genbank, all sequences accord with other known M. hapla. As a result, all of the RKN samples were M. hapla. This study suggests that the dominant species of RKN on strawberry is M. hapla in Korea.

Only two species of Eurydema occur in Korea and Japan: E. dominulus (Scopoli, 1763) [= E. pulchra (Westwood, 1837), syn. n.] and E. gebleri Kolenati, 1846 [= E. rugosa Motschulsky, 1861, syn. n.]. In order to prove the above taxonomical change, we focused on three major works (1)morphology, (2)molecular identification and (3)biological experiment (inter-specific copulation, confirmation of fertilization and interbreeding). All the results of these three major works support to confirm new taxonomical change amongst these four species. The inter-specific copulation occurs (E. pulchra_male X E. gebleri_female) in nature, but the eggs from inter-specific copulation are confirmed not to be fertilized as a result of the biological experiment. A new identification key to species occurring in Korea and Japan is presented for the all stages (from eggs to adult).