• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.60-73
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• 2024

Background: The available information on terrestrial pest gastropods and their impact on the environment worldwide is scarce and outdated. The present study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first comprehensive survey of pest gastropods in the Nuwara Eliya District, an important vegetable growing area in the highlands of Sri Lanka. Eighty agricultural lands were surveyed over two years by establishing ten 1 m2 sampling plots per crop type in each agricultural land. Geo-coordinates, air temperature, elevation, relative humidity, daily rainfall, soil pH, species richness and abundance were recorded for rainy and non-rainy periods. The relationship between species composition and environmental variables was analyzed using multi-regression models and distribution maps. Results: Out of the 14 species recorded in agricultural lands, nine were identified as exotic pest species. Species abundance (t = 4.69, p < 0.05) and diversity was higher in the rainy period and the dominant species during this period were Bradybaena similaris (t = 2.69, p < 0.05) and Deroceras reticulatum (t = 2. 46, p < 0.05). Eggs and estivating adults were found in soil and under decaying organic matter during the non-rainy period. The exotic species showed broader preferences for the measured environmental factors and showed a wider range in distribution compared to the native species. Variation in pest gastropod composition was significantly accounted for by elevation, relative humidity, soil pH and daily rainfall. Additionally, the species richness and abundance varied across locations due to the combined effects of elevation, crop type and stage, and field type. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the biology and ecology of gastropod pests to develop effective management strategies. By considering the influence of environmental factors and implementing appropriate soil management techniques, such as targeting specific habitats and crop stages, it is possible to mitigate pest populations and minimize their impact on agricultural lands. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the dynamics and interactions of terrestrial gastropods in agricultural ecosystems, supporting sustainable pest management practices.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2021

Integrated mite management provided a basic direction to early the fruit tree IPM. The early IPM concept was based on incorporation of the biological control for mite pests with the existing chemical control compatibly. Since then, the hypotheses and mechanisms of the interaction between species diversity and pest population dynamics have provided a broader understanding of mite-centered pest management in fruit tree ecosystems. Based on the principle of the ecosystem, biological control and pest management through habitat modification or manipulation are developing to the concept of agro-ecological engineering. In particular, the natural enemy diversity is dynamically changed according to the different cultivation environment in the management of mite pests, and the species composition of phytophagous mites is also changed by the environment for orchard management. This paper reviews the biological control of mites, which was the basis of apple IPM, and also re-examines the topics of species diversity and pest management, predacious mite diversity in relation to mite control and the change of species composition of mite pests in the sight of ecological engineering. Finally, we suggest a strategy for biological control of spider mites in apple orchards in Korea.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1995

From a chemist's perspective, Scarabaeidae is one of the most exciting group of insects to work on the isolation, identification, and synthesis of sex pheromones because-as opposed to Lepidoptera, which by and large utilizes straight chain alcohols, aldehydes, and acetates-the pheromonal chemistry of scarab beetles is remarkably diverse. While species in the subfamily Rutelinae utilize pheromone constituents, which are presumably fatty acid derivatives, the more primitive species in the subfamily Melolonthinae use phenolic, amino acid derivative, and terpenoid compounds. Here, I discuss the recent advances we have accomplished in the identification of scarab sex pheromones with especial emphasis on their chemical diversity. Also, I discuss the potential role of these sex pheromones in insect pest management. Field tests revealed that, in contrast to what has been frequently observed in the Lepidoptera, the higher the dosage of sex pheromone loaded in the traps the greater the capture of scarab beetles. These data suggest that mass trapping is more likely to be useful for scarab pest management than mating distruption.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.145-154
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• 2021

Integrated pest management system in Korean apple has significantly advanced for last few decades. However harmful effects of pesticides threats the ecosystem services of natural enemies and pollinators. Apple require cross-pollination and Insect pollination with diversity and abundance is one of the keys to profitable apple production in quantity and quality as well. Thus crop protection tools are to be administered in harmony to meet the pest suppression and protection of beneficial organisms such as natural enemies and pollinators. Adding onto the established IPM system, integrated pollinator-pest management (IPPM) concept is proposed as the future direction of apple IPM. For this, ecological enginnering of creating habitats for pollinators, landscape management and agroecosytem diversification as well as selective soft pesticide uses on time guided by pest monitoring and phenologyand targeted delivery are further proposed. Recent shift of agroecosystem from climate change and new pest outbreaks require new paradigm of pest management for sustainable agricultural production.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2021

Landscape composition and structure are important factors determining biological diversity including pests and natural enemires in agricultural ecosystem. This study was conducted to indentify effect of landscape composition on occurrence of lepidopteran pest population in Geochang, Gyoungdnam. For this, orchard characteristics and management practices were surveyed in 80 conventional apple orchards in Geochang, Korea, along with the monitoring of pest population densities. The landscape features of each surveyed orchard also obtained by extracting information from the public-service map. Grapholita molesta was the most dominat and damaging pest followed by Phyllonorycter ringoniella and Carposina sasakii in trap catches. Adoxophyes paraorana occurrences were low. Farmers spray insecticides and fungicides ap. 12.4 times per year respectively while acaricides were sprayed 2.4 times. Major landscape features such as surrounding apple orchard or paddy field did not influence the pest populations but presence of plum, peach, wild peach, graph, and even abandoned orchards significantly resulted in higher pest population mostly on G. molesta. C. sasakii population was higher in orchards with grape, peach, and P. ringoniella with peach, grape, abandoned orchards and jujube. Results highlight the need of landscape management not only for the rural amenity but also for increasing functional diversity of agroecosystem as well as reducing pest population.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2018

Background: Sasa borealis (Hack.) Makino, a clonal dwarf bamboo, is widespread in Korean forests. Although S. borealis is native to that country, its growth habit can cause considerable harm when occupying particular areas where it dominates and influences those forested communities. However, few reports have described the extent of its inhibitory effects on the vigor of co-existing plant species. Therefore, we investigated the distribution, abundance, and diversity of other plant species in the communities where this plant occurs in the east-central forests on the Korean Peninsula. Results: S. borealis was most commonly found at an elevational range of 800 to 1,200 m, on gentle, usually lower, and near valley northern slopes. Out of the 13 forest communities based on 447 forest stands that we surveyed, S. borealis was detected in eight communities, mostly where Quercus mongolica dominates. In particular, it was more common in late-successional mixed stands of Q. mongolica, other deciduous species, and the coniferous Abies holophylla. Because of their ability to expand rapidly in the forest, this plant covered more than 50% of the surface in most of our research plots. Species diversity declined significantly (F = 78.7, p = 0.000) as the abundance of S. borealis increased in the herb stratum. The same trend was noted for the total number of species (F = 18.1, p = 0.000) and species evenness (F = 91.5, p = 0.000). Conclusions: These findings clearly demonstrate that S. borealis is a weed pest and severely hinders species diversity. Authorities should be implementing various measures for ecological control to take advantage of declining chance after the recent synchronized massive flowering of S. borealis.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted as part of research to promote garden diversity and seek sustainable garden management plans, as well as to determine the trends in understanding and use of companion plants as an eco-friendly farming method and provide the results as the basic data for sustainable urban agriculture. Methods: To determine the trends in garden activities, eco-friendly pest control, and use of companion plants, a survey was conducted on 230 urban residents participating in the Urban Agriculture Expert course. 223 copies of the questionnaire were collected excluding missing values, and IBM SPSS statistics Ver. 25 Program was used for frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis. Results: Most of the respondents were female (71.3%), homemakers (26.5%), were in their 50s (29.1%), and had 2 members in the family (27.8%). 164 respondents (73.5%) had experience in gardening, most of them once a week (31.7%) and for self-consumption (55.5%). Both men and women raised crops for safe food production (32.3%), and they most preferred the city garden type (39.9%). For the preparation of nourishment for eco-friendly garden management, most respondents (60.1%) purchased fertilizers from the market. For the reason why eco-friendly pest control is necessary, all respondents except 4 of them (98.2%) responded that it is necessary 'because it affects my health as I eat it (73.5%)', indicating that they still had a high level of interest in health. Only 43.9% of the respondents said that they had heard of companion plants, 89.2% responded that companion plants were effective in eco-friendly management, and 87.4% showed the will to participate in gardening using companion plants in the future. Finally, the regression analysis confirmed that the awareness of companion plants and satisfaction with gardening activities are key variables that increase the intention to participate in gardening activities in the future. Conclusion: Since plants require special care depending on the period and various diseases and insect pests occur, there must be continuous research on companion plants as an eco-friendly farming method. Moreover, by actively using companion plants in urban gardens with the utility value in not only eco-friendly pest control but also in helping plant growth, urban agriculture is expected to be continuously activated and promoted by increasing satisfaction in gardening activities with aesthetic landscaping and pest control.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.1
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• pp.116-127
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• 2021

In this study, insect pest communities and major insect pest species were investigated and compared among 30 cultivars of Hibiscus syriacus. Insects on H. syriacus were observed with the naked eye over 3 years (from 2018 to 2020) in Busan and Suwon. Except for Aphis gossypii (79,059 and 23,654 individuals in Busan and Suwon, respectively), 20 species (1,147 individuals) and 31 species (2,240 individuals) were found in Busan and Suwon, respectively. The number of insect pest species and individuals did not differ among H. syriacus cultivars, but there were differences according to study locations. The dominant insect pest species were A. gossypii, Rehimena surusalis, Rusicada privata, Halyomorpha halys, Haritalodes derogata, Dolycoris baccarum, and Plautia stali; the number of individuals in dominant species differed according to study location and year but not among H. syriacus cultivars. In summary, insect pest communities did not differ among 30 H. syriacus cultivars, but the matrix of surrounding environments where H. syriacus are planted may be more important.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1997

This study was conducted to analyze arthropod community patterns in small rice fields associated with different planting methods (water seeding, drill seeding, and hansplanting) in Suwon and Icheon in 1994. Total 15 orders and 45 families of arthropods were collected. The arthropod community was analyzed using guild categories. The arthropods were found in the order of 'natural enemy>pest(phytophage)>non-pest' in their densities in all sites. The pest (phytophage) species were mainly Homoptera and dominated by Delphacidae (Nilaparvata lugens Stsl, Sogatella fircifera Horvath and Laodelphax striatellus Fallen) and Cicadelidae (Nephotettir cincticeps Uhler). They constituted >80% of pest abundance. Differences in pest abundance were not found among rice fields associated with different planting methods. Spiders were the most dominant group in the natural enemy and constituted >90% of natural enemy abundance. Hunting spiders constituted >SO% of spider abundance and were dominated by Pirata subpiraticus Bos. et Str. (Lycosidae). Pacliygnatha clerki Sundevall (Tetragnathidae) was a dominant species in webbing spiders. No differences were found in species richness and diversity in spider community among rice fields associated with different planting methods. The nonpest species were mainly Diptera and occurred abundantly in early growing season and decreased drastically as rice development proceeded. The non-pest abundance was higher in direct seeding sites than in transplanting site, and especially abundant in a drill seeding site.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.458-466
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• 2015

Oak tree death caused by symbiosis of an ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, and an ophiostomatoid filamentous fungus, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae, has been a nationwide problem in Korea since 2004. In this study, we surveyed the yeast species associated with P. koryoensis to better understand the diversity of fungal associates of the beetle pest. In 2009, a total of 195 yeast isolates were sampled from larvae and adult beetles (female and male) of P. koryoensis in Cheonan, Goyang, and Paju; 8 species were identified by based on their morphological, biochemical and molecular analyses. Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Candida kashinagacola were found to be the two dominant species. Among the 8 species, Candida homilentoma was a newly recorded yeast species in Korea, and thus, its mycological characteristics were described. The P. koryoensis symbiont R. quercusmongolicae did not show extracelluar CM-cellulase, xylanase and avicelase activity that are responsible for degradation of wood structure; however, C. kashinagacola and M. guilliermondii did show the three extracellular enzymatic activities. Extracelluar CM-cellulase activity was also found in Ambrosiozyma sp., C. homilentoma, C. kashinagacola, and Candida sp. Extracelluar pectinase activity was detected in Ambrosiozyma sp., C. homilentoma, Candida sp., and M. guilliermondii. All the 8 yeast species displayed compatible relationships with R. quercus-mongolicae when they were co-cultivated on yeast extract-malt extract plates. Overall, our results demonstrated that P. koryoensis carries the yeast species as a symbiotic fungal associate. This is first report of yeast diversity associated with P. koryoensis.