• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.537-542
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• 2020

Cockroaches inhabit various habitats, which will influence their microbiome. Although the microbiome can be influenced by the diet and environmental factors, it can also differ between species. Therefore, we conducted 16S rDNA-targeted high-throughput sequencing to evaluate the overall bacterial composition of the microbiomes of 3 cockroach species, Periplaneta americana, P. japonica, and P. fuliginosa, raised in laboratory for several generations under the same conditions. The experiments were conducted using male adult cockroaches. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was not significantly different among the 3 species. With regard to the Shannon and Pielou indexes, higher microbiome values were noted in P. americana than in P. japonica and P. fuliginosa. Microbiome composition was also evaluated, with endosymbionts accounting for over half of all OTUs in P. japonica and P. fuliginosa. Beta diversity analysis further showed that P. japonica and P. fuliginosa had similar microbiome composition, which differed from that of P. americana. However, we also identified that P. japonica and P. fuliginosa host distinct OTUs. Thus, although microbiome compositions may vary based on multiple conditions, it is possible to identify distinct microbiome compositions among different Periplaneta cockroach species, even when the individuals are reared under the same conditions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2010

Allergen extracts from dust mites and cockroaches commonly found in Korean homes were used to evaluate their enzymatic activity as they are believed to influence allergenicity. Allergen extracts were prepared from 3 dust mite species (Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and 3 cockroach species (Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana, and P. fuliginosa) maintained in the Korea National Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank. Proteins were extracted in PBS after homogenization using liquid nitrogen. The activities of various enzymes were investigated using the API Zym system. No significant difference in phosphatase, lipase, or glycosidase activity was observed among the 6 allergen extracts, but much difference was observed in protease activity. Protease activity was assessed in more detail by gelatin zymography and the EnzChek assay. Extract from T. putrescentiae showed the highest protease activity, followed by those of the cockroach extracts. Extracts from D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus showed only weak protease activity. Gelatinolytic activity was detected mainly in a 30-kDa protein in D. farinae, a 28-kDa protein in D. pteronyssinus, a > 26-kDa protein in T. putrescentiae, a > 20-kDa protein in B. germanica, and a > 23-kDa protein in P. americana and P. fuliginosa. The information on various enzymatic activities obtained in this study may be useful for future studies. In particular, the strong protease activity found in cockroach extracts could contribute to sensitization to cockroach allergens, which is known to be associated with the development of asthma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 1984

The toxicity value of 13 kinds of public health insecticides against the adult female cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa, Setville in Korea were evaluated by the topical application method of insecticides. The results obtained were summarized as follows 1. S-biolline showed the most strong susceptibility with LD$_{50}$ of 1.9${\mu}g$ per cockroach (1,100 mg) out of 13 kinds of insecticides and other synthetic pyrethroides insecticides (bio-resmethrin 2.8${\mu}g$/cockroach, permethrin 4.3 ${\mu}g$/cockroach) showed some degree of susceptibility to the smoky brown cockroach. 2. Fenitrothion showed 2.5 $\mu$g per cockroach which was the most strong susceptibility out of 8 kinds of organophosphorus and most of them were good susceptibile but there was clear evidence for developed resistance against malathion with LD$_{50}$ of 80.5 {$\mu}g$ per cockroach (1,100 mg). 3. Lindane showed some degree of susceptibility with LD$_{50}$ of 13.9 {$\mu}g$ per cockroach (1,100 mg) but DDT showed the most strong resistance to the smoky brown cockroach out of 13 kinds of insecticides tested.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.1 s.137
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• pp.73-79
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• 2006

We evaluated the efficacy of health education in reducing indoor arthropod allergens in Seoul. The mite control measures comprised the use of mite-proof mattress and pillow coverings, regular washing of potentially infested materials, maintenance of a low humidity, removal of carpets, and frequent vacuum cleaning. Cockroach control measures included trapping, application of insecticides, and protecting food. Of 201 homes enrolled in October 1999, 63 volunteers were included in a 2-year follow-up survey between April 2000 and January 2002. Before intervention, the density of mites/g of dust varied greatly; 27.1/g in children's bedding, 20/g in adult bedding, 7.2/g on the floors of children's bedrooms, 6.8/g in sofas, 5.9/g on the floors of adult's bedrooms, 3.9/g on living room floors, 3.7/g in carpets, and 1.9 mites/g on kitchen floors. The predominant mite species and house percentages infested were; Dermatophagoides farinae $93\%$, D. pteronyssinus $9\%$, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae $8\%$. Comparing 1999 and 2001 infestations, before and after 25 mo of education, mite abundance was reduced by $98\%$, from 23.7 to 0.57 mites/g of dust. In 1999, cockroaches were detected in $62\%$ homes: $36\%$ Blattella germanica and $35\%$ Periplaneta spp., including $9\%$ double infestations of B. germanica and P. americana. Following intervention, cockroach infestation rates decreased to $22\%$ of houses in 2000 and $23\%$ in 2001. We conclude that continuous and repetitive health education resulted in the effective control of domestic arthropods.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.354-371
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• 1993

Behavior of adult females of the smoky brown cockroach was observed for 10-15 days continuously by using computer and the automatic sensoring system. Under the light condition of l2L~ 12D, individual variations were generally higher and the periodicity appeared less in terms of the presence time at the micro-habitats and the locomotory activity. The smoky brown cockroach appeared 20.42, 11.50, 6.31 and 2.66 % in a day in averages respectively at the shelter and the places for other individuals, feeding and drinking. It stayed 20.29 % in a day at the shelter when food, water, and other individuals were not supplied. Visiting rates were higher at the feeding and dnnking places than at. the ot.her micro-habitats. The degree of t.he locomotory activity was relatively lower when food, water, and other individuals were not supplied t.han when they were supplied. The Pnncipal Component Analysis (PCA) on the presence at the micro-habitats showed that. t.he presence pattern for each mdividual appeared differently (Q mode) while the differem time zones were grouped to the photophase and scotophase (R mode). When food, water, and other individuals were supplied the degree of grouping was higher at the shelter than at the places for feeding and drinking. When the act.ivityand the presence time at the different micro-habitats were jointly analyzed by PCA, the achvity of the female smoky brown cockroach appeared in relation with the presence time ( %) at the places for feeding and other individuals.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.391-405
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• 1995

Cockroach survey on the relative density from 7 different habitats including hotel-ins, tea-rooms restaurants, hospitals, apartments, and resident hoses were conducted in 3 District(Ku) areas in Suwon city during the period of February through October, 1994. of a total of 3.039 trap sets, Cockroaches were collected from 1,435 traps, comprised of a 47.22% positive trap-rate. Chinese restaurants were shown to be the highest positive trap-rate of 72.67% of the total while the other habitats such as Korean restaurants, apartments, resident hoses, tea-rooms, hotel-inns, and hospitals were 60.67%, 58.61%, 52.22%, 38.67%, 24.88%, and 17.54%, respectively. Blattella germanica was shown to be the highest population density of 55.01 individuals/trap/week comprised of 97.36% of the total during survey period whereas the other 3 species, Periplaneta japonica, P. americana, and P. fuliginosa constituted in lesser extent of 2.35%, 0.14%, respectively. Of a total of 7 different cockroach breeding habitats, higher population density per trap/week was from restaurants with averages of 20.56 and 8.31 cockroaches from Chinese and Koran restaurants, respectively. An intermediate extent of density was observed from apartments, tea rooms and resident houses with 5.33, 3.79 and 3.53 individuals, respectively. Lower relative densities of cockroaches were observed from hospitals and hotel-inns with averages of 0.18 and 1.00 individuals per trap/week, respectively.