• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.371-376
• /
• 2017

In a nationwide survey of the occurrence and density of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), high density was continuously observed in the reclaimed areas of Mangun-myeon in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, and Sanye-myeon in Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea. We have analyzed the nucleotide sequences of NADH dehydrogenase subunit (NAD) 2, NAD4, and NAD5 genes in order to determine the origins of the migratory locusts at two sites. According to the analysis, the migratory locusts in Haenam-gun were closely related with those in Liaoning Province and Heilongjiang Province in the northeast China. In contrast, the migratory locusts in Muan-gun were most similar to those in Japan. Because Korean migratory locusts were not included in the previous global study on the evolution and migration of migratory locusts, we did not know the origin of Korean migratory locusts, earlier. Phylogenetic analyses this study suggested that the migratory locusts from the northeast Chinese population might have migrated and settled in Haenam-gun in Korea. Moreover, another northeast Chinese population might have migrated to Muan-gun in Korea though Sakhalin, Russia and Hokkaido, Japan. However, the possibility that the migratory locusts moved from northeast China might be isolated from each other in Korea, and that the Muan population might migrate to Japan cannot be excluded.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2008

Sensing the approach of a predator is critical to the survival of prey, especially when the prey has no choice but to escape at a precisely timed moment. Escape behavior has been approached from both proximate and ultimate perspectives. On the proximate level, empirical research about electrophysiological mechanisms for detecting predators has focused on vision, an important modality that helps prey to sense approaching danger. Studies of looming-sensitive neurons in locusts are a good example of how the selective sensitivity of nervous systems towards specific targets, especially approaching objects, has been understood and realistically modeled in software and robotic systems. On the ultimate level, general optimality models have provided an evolutionary framework by considering costs and benefits of visually elicited escape responses. A recent paper showed how neural network models can be used to understand the evolution of visually mediated antipredatory behaviors. We discuss this new trend towards integration of these relatively disparate approaches, the proximate and the ultimate perspectives, for understanding of the evolution of behavior of predators and prey. Focusing on one of the best-studied escape pathway models, the Orthopteran LGMD/DCMD pathway, we discuss how ultimate-level optimality modeling can be integrated with proximate-level studies of escape behaviors in animals.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.75-80
• /
• 2007

The release of genetically modified organisms ($GMO_{s}$) into the environment has the potential risks regarding the possibility of gene transfer from $GMO_{s}$ to natural organisms and this needs to be evaluated. This study was conducted to monitor the possible horizontal gene transfer from herbicide-resistant zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) to indigenous microorganisms. We have first examined the effect of field-released GM zoysiagrass on the microbial flora in the gut of locust (Locusts mlgratoria). The microbial flora was analyzed through determining the 165 rDHA sequences of microorganisms. The comparison of the microbial flora in the gut of locusts that were captured at the field of GM zoysiagrass and of wild-type revealed that there is no noticeable difference between these two groups. This result indicates that the GM zoysiagrass does not have negative impact on microbial flora in the gut of locust. We then investigated whether the horizontal gene transfer occurred from GM zoysiagrass to microbes in soil, rhizosphere and faecal pellets from locusts by utilizing molecular tools such as Southern hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When the total DNAs isolated from microbes in GM zoysiagrass and in wild-type zoysiagrass fields were hybridized with probes for bar or hpt gene, no hybridization signal was detected from both field isolates, while the probes were hybridized with DNA from the positive control. Absence of these genes in the FNAs of soil microorganisms as well as microbes in the gut of locust was further confirmed by PCR. Taken together, our data showed that horizontal gene transfer did not occur in this system. These results further indicate that frequencies of transfer of engineered plant DNA to bacteria are likely to be negligible.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.459-464
• /
• 2016

An outbreak of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, in the environment-friendly reclaimed plantations of forage crops in Sanyimyeon, Haenam-gun, Jellanam-do, Korea in August 2014 caused severe damages to various crops. Owing to its first occurrence in the Korean history, the causes underlying the outbreak and phase-transition of the migratory locust were not known. It is critical to establish the genetic relationship of the migratory locust in Sanyimyeon, Haenam-gun with the other previously reported strains in the world in order to understand the mechanisms responsible for its outbreak. The gene sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and displacement-loop (D-loop) of the mitochondria of various regional species of the migratory locust were used to perform the phylogenetic analysis. Our results suggested that the migratory locusts in Sanyimyeon, Haenam-gun are closely related with the Eurasian strains of the northern lineage. In future, these two mitochondrial genes can be used for elucidating the genetic population structures in migratory locusts in various regions. In addition, the sequence information of these genes can be used to enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of the outbreak of migratory locusts.

• Proceedings of The Korean Society of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology Conference
• /
• 2001.06a
• /
• pp.38-38
• /
• 2001

The rainfall estimates give sufficiently accurate information to map areas which have received the minimum rainfall necessary for outbreaks of pests such as locusts, thus cutting down the cost of searching for likely outbreak sites. At the other end of the scale, satellite rainfall estimates can be used to give timely warnings of changes in river levels and the likelihood of floods in large river catchments.(omitted)

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.301-308
• /
• 2017

Locusts, Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are periodical unpredictable agricultural pests worldwide and cause serious damage to crop production; however, little consideration has been given to the management of this pest. Herein, we constructed a locust-pathogenic fungal library and confirmed that some fungi could be used as resources for locust management. First, the entomopathogenic fungi were collected from sampled soils using a Tenebrio molitor-based baiting system. For the locust assay, a locust colony was obtained from the National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology. A total of 34 entomopathogenic fungal granules, which were produced by solid cultures, were placed in the plastic insect-rearing boxes (2 g/box) and nymphs of locust were contained in the box. In 3-7 days, mycosis was observed on the membranous cuticles of the head, abdomen, and legs of locusts. In particular, Metarhizium anisopliae, M. lepidiotae, and Clonostachys rogersoniana exhibited high virulence against the locust. Given that the 34 isolates could be used in field applications, their conidial production and stability (thermotolerance) were further characterized. In the thermotolerance assay, Paecilomyces and Purpureocillium isolates had higher thermotolerance than the other isolates. Most of the fungal isolates produced ca. >$1{\times}10^8conidia/g$ on millet grain medium. In a greenhouse trial, the granular application of M. anisopliae isolate on the soil surface resulted in 85.7% control efficacy. This work suggests that entomopathogenic fungi in a granular form can be effectively used to control the migratory locust.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.523-528
• /
• 2016

The migratory locust Locusta migratoria, one of the world's most notorious insect pests, has polyphenic (gregarious or solitarious) characteristics. Although this species is known to have several morphological variants, it is genetically divided into two different lineages using mitochondrial genome analysis: Southern (Africa, Southern Europe, Southern Asia, and Australia) and Northern (East Asia and the Eurasian continent). In 2014, a large number of orange black-colored gregarious L. migratoria nymphs suddenly appeared at Haenamgun, Jeollanamdo in the south of Korea. This is the first report of gregarious phase locusts occurring in Korea. In this study, mitochondrial COI sequences of one nymph and 11 adults of L. migratoria were analyzed to examine the genetic lineage of the gregarious nymphs of L. migratoria. Our results showed that all 12 individuals belong to the Northern linage and have low intraspecific genetic divergences (0.0% - 0.9%).

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 2012

This study analyzed and examined the entries of natural disasters recorded in Samguk-sagi in relation to the natural thoughts. In the ancient Korean view of nature thought the Unified Shilla dynasty surveyed their view on nature in terms of terrestrial upheavals. In the first place, I came to know that the important natural disasters such as droughts, floods, hails, locusts, earthquakes, thunderstroke, storms uprooting trees, tornado etc. recorded in Samguk-sagi have something in common with the entries of natural disasters in the ancient Chinese histories. Accordingly, they interpreted natural disasters in terms of good omens and heavenly punishments. The king refrained from luxurious food and drink, released prisoners or reduced their sentence as a sign of his benevolence. They thought that natural disasters were caused by the heavenly instruction due to lack of virtue on the part of the king. I think that these were acts of ritual on the part of the king as a ruler to fulfill his responsibility for a benevolent administration.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.153-162
• /
• 2011

This study analyzed and examined the entries of natural disasters recorded in Samguk-sagi in relation to the mythological thoughts. In the ancient Korean view of nature thought the Three Kingdoms surveyed their view on nature in terms of natural calamities and terrestrial upheavals. In the first place, I came to know that the important natural disasters such as droughts, floods, hails, locusts, earthquakes, landslides, storms uprooting trees, tornado recorded in Samguk-sagi have something in common with the entries of natural disasters in the ancient Chinese histories. Accordingly, they interpreted natural disasters in terms of good omens and heavenly punishments. The king refrained from luxurious food and drink, released prisoners or reduced their sentence as a sign of his benevolence. they thought that natural disasters were caused by the heavenly instruction due to lack of virtue on the part of the king. I think that these were acts of ritual on the part of the king as a ruler to fulfill his responsibility for a benevolent administration.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.287-295
• /
• 2018

A meridic artificial diet, including whole milk powder, wheat bran, maize leaf powder, and sucrose as the main nutrients, was tested for rearing Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae). When locusts were supplied with only the artificial diet over their entire life cycle, a second generation was not produced. The same result was observed when the diet was supplied daily and fresh maize leaves were supplied every other day. However, when the diet and fresh maize leaves were supplied alternately every other day, four generations of L. migratoria were produced. Fecundity in adults reared with the alternating diet was higher than that in adults supplied with both the diet and maize leaves daily. These results indicate that this artificial diet could be used as a supplementary food for rearing of L. migratoria.