Neocucurbitaria chlamydospora sp. nov.: A Novel Species of the Family Cucurbitariaceae Isolated from a Stink Bug in Korea.

The fungal strain KNUF-22-18B, belonging to Cucurbitariaceae, was discovered from a stink bug (Hygia lativentris) during the investigation of insect microbiota in Chungnam Province, South Korea. The colonies of the strain KNUF-22-18B were wooly floccose, white to brown in the center on oatmeal agar (OA), and the colonies were buff, margin even, and colorless, reverse white to yellowish toward the center on malt extract agar (MEA). The strain KNUF-22-18B produced pycnidia after 60 days of culturing on potato dextrose agar, but pycnidia were not observed on OA. On the contrary, N. keratinophila CBS 121759T abundantly formed superficial pycnidia on OA and MEA after a few days. The strain KNUF-22-18B produced chlamydospores subglobose to globose, mainly in the chain, with a small diameter of 4.4-8.8 µm. At the same time, N. keratinophila CBS 121759T displayed a globose terminal with a diameter of 8-10 µm. A multilocus phylogeny using the internal transcribed spacer regions, 28S rDNA large subunit, ß-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II large subunit genes further validated the uniqueness of the strain. The detailed description and illustration of the proposed species as Neocucurbitaria chlamydospora sp. nov. from Korea was strongly supported by molecular phylogeny.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal a New Species of Genus Monochaetia Belonging to the Family Sporocadaceae in Korea.

The fungal strain belonging to the genus Monochaetia of the family Sporocadaceae was isolated from hairy long-horned toad beetle (Moechotypa diphysis) during the screening of microfungi associated with insects from Gangwon Province, Korea. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced white, light brown to dirty black surface, and olivaceous green colonies with the higher growth, while the closest strain M. ilicis KUMCC 15-0520T were light brown to brown, and M. schimae SAUCC 212201T light brown to brown toward center. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced shorter (5.7-14.0 µm) apical appendages than M. ilicis (6.0-24.0 µm), but similar to M. schimae (7.0-12.5 µm). Three median cells of KNUF-6L2F were light brown to olivaceous green, whereas brown and olivaceous cells were observed from M. ilicis and M. schimae, respectively. And the strain KNUF-6L2F produced larger conidiogenous cells than M. ilicis and M. schimae. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses based on molecular datasets of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α), and ß-tubulin (TUB2) genes corroborated the strain's originality. Thus, the strain is different from other known Monochaetia species, according to molecular phylogeny and morophology, hence we suggested the new species Monochaetia mediana sp. nov. and provided a descriptive illustration.

Insect fauna including unrecorded species in Ulleungdo, South Korea.

Background: Ulleungdo harbours a unique ecosystem owing to its isolation from the mainland alongside its maritime climate. The island, formed via volcanic activity, is the largest island in the East Sea of Korea and retains a primeval forest. The ecosystems are being destroyed owing to increasing human activity on the island. Therefore, through the investigation of the insect fauna of Ulleungdo, we tried to provide information that can be the basis for understanding the island ecology of Ulleungdo. This survey was conducted four times between April and October in 2020 at Seonginbong. New information: The findings of the survey regarding insect fauna at Seonginbong, Ulleungdo included 10 orders, 105 families, 216 genera and 212 species, of which 12 families, two subfamilies, 13 genera and 74 species were previously unrecorded. The data have been registered in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF; www.GBIF.org).

Influence of Genetically Modified Soybean Expressing Epidermal Growth Factor on Arthropod Biodiversity.

The field study was undertaken to examine the potential for adverse effects of transgenic soybean expressing bioactive human epidermal growth factor (with tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate, PPT) on the abundance and diversity of plant-dwelling arthropods by comparing with those of a non-GM parental cultivar, Gwangan soybean. Field surveys of soybean fields were carried out over two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017 at Ochang and Jeonju, Korea. The number of captured individuals associated with either of EGF and Gwangan soybean plants increased in 2017 compared with 2016 in both Ochang and Jeonju. During the survey period, the diversity and richness of the occurred insects and arachnids increased, dominance decreased, and the evenness of the insects remained static. The insects of Hymenoptera Order occurred most often comprised 25.4% of total captured insect pests. On the contrary, natural enemy from Hymenoptera Order and other insects from Diptera Order occurred more frequently (29.9% and 19.0%, respectively) in both the survey regions during the study periods. The score from PROXSCAL multidimensional scaling using combined data showed that the occurrence of insects and arachnids were separated due to their cultivation regions and years, irrespective of soybean cultivars. Consequently, the results indicated that there happened no notable change in the composition of arthropod communities in soybean agroecosystem due to GM event in soybean expressing EGF.

First record of the soldier fly genus Beris Latreille (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) from Korea, with designation of two new synonyms.

Background: The soldier fly subfamily Beridinae in the family Stratiomyidae contains approximately 280 known species, these being distributed across nearly all biogeographical regions with the exception of the polar regions. On the Korean Peninsula, the species diversity of this subfamily has been poorly examined to date, as is reflected in the National species list of Korea by the National Institute of Biological Resources. New information: In this paper, the soldier fly genus Beris Latreille is reported for the first time from Korea, based on observations of the following three species: B.fuscipes Meigen, 1820, B.hildebrandtae Pleske, 1930 and B.hirotui Ôuchi, 1943. Additionally, the authors propose two nomenclatural acts: 1) B.angustifacies Nagatomi and Tanaka, 1972 syn. nov. = B.hildebrandtae Pleske, 1930; 2) B.liaoningana Cui, Li and Yang, 2010 syn. nov. = B.hildebrandtae Pleske, 1930. The authors also provide an identification key, descriptions, photographs and distributional notes on these Korean species.

A new species of the genus Hypocharassus Mik (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from Korea.

Background: The genus Hypocharassus Mik, 1879 has only been recorded in the Nearctic and Oriental regions and, to date, it contains four known species. New information: Hypocharassuscavitarsus sp. n. is described from Korea. This is the first record of this genus in the Palearctic Region. A description of the new species and a key to the Hypocharassus species are presented herein.

Taxonomic and faunistic notes on the genus Trichotichnus from Korea (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Harpalinae, Harpalini).

Background: Trichotichnus Morawitz, 1863 is a genus of the subtribe Harpalina, comprising more than 260 species worldwide. In Korea, nine species of the nominotypical subgenus are listed in the Korean catalogue (National Institute of Biological Resources 2019), while seven species of the nominotypical subgenus are listed to occur in Korea according to the Palaearctic catalogue (Kataev and Wrase 2017). Therefore, the checklist of the Korean species of the genus Trichotichnus needs to be revised. New information: In the course of taxonomic studies on Trichotichnus species from Korea, two unrecorded species are identified: Trichotichnus (Bottchrus) nanus and Trichotichnus (Trichotichnus) vespertinus. In addition, the distribution of a poorly known species, T. (T.) miser, is firstly recognized in the southern part of Korea. Along with the description of the newly-recorded species, a checklist of the Korean species of the genus Trichotichnus is revised. As for the checklist, the distribution of T. (Iridessus) lucidus and T. (T.) leptopus in Korea is re-discussed, and T. (T.) leptopus is excluded from the Korean fauna. Lastly, additional distribution records for the following species are provided: T. (I.) lucidus, T. (T.) longitarsis, T. (T.) nishioi, and T. (T.) noctuabundus.

A new species of Neotoxoscelus Fisher, 1921 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from South Korea, with an updated checklist.

Neotoxosceluspetilus sp. nov. is described from South Korea. Neotoxoscelus Fisher, 1921 is also a new generic record for South Korea. A key to the Neotoxoscelus species and an updated checklist are provided.

First record of the snail-killing fly genus Dichetophora Rondani (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) in Korea, with descriptions of two new species.

This paper provides the first report of the snail-killing fly genus Dichetophora Rondani, 1868 on the Korean peninsula with the discovery of two new species, D. koreana sp. nov. and D. nigricorpa sp. nov. Descriptions and illustrations of the new species and keys to the Palearctic species of this genus are given.

Taxonomic Revision of the Leafhopper Genus Macropsis Lewis from Korea (Homoptera: Cicadellidae).

Korean species of the genus Macropsis Lewis are revised taxonomically, primarily based on the abdominal apodemes, male genitalia, and 2nd valvulae of the female ovipositor. Previously only three species were erroneously recorded from Korea. Among them, Macropsis notata (Prohaska, 1923) was previously misidentified as Macropsis prasina (Boheman, 1852). Two other European species, Macropsis scutellata (Boheman, 1845) and Macropsis illota (Horvth, 1899), are removed from the list of Korean fauna based on the examination of previously identified specimens that revealed only superficial resemblance to allied species. As a result, a total of 7 species are recognized in this revision, including 2 species new to science. Descriptions and distributional data are provided for all the species. Illustrations of both male and female genitalic characters as well as apodeme structures are provided, and an identification key to species from Korea is also given.

Metabolomic Variability of Different Soybean Genotypes: ß-Carotene-Enhanced (Glycine max), Wild (Glycine soja), and Hybrid (Glycine max × Glycine soja) Soybeans.

We obtained a new hybrid soybean (Hybrid) by hybridizing ß-carotene-enhanced soybean (BCE; Glycine max L.) containing the phytoene synthase-2A-carotene desaturase gene and wild-type soybean (Wild; Glycine soja). To investigate metabolic changes between variants, we performed metabolic profiling of leaves (three growth stages) and seeds. Multivariate analyses revealed significant metabolic differences between genotypes in seeds and leaves, with seeds showing accumulation of phytosterols, tocopherols, and carotenoids (BCE only), indicating co-induction of the methylerythritol 4-phosphate and mevalonic acid pathways. Additionally, Hybrid produced intermediate levels of carotenoids and high levels of amino acids. Principal component analysis revealed metabolic discrimination between growth stages of soybean leaves and identified differences in leaf groups according to different genotypes at 8, 12, and 16 weeks, with Wild showing higher levels of environmental stress-related compounds relative to BCE and Hybrid leaves. The metabolic profiling approach could be a useful tool to identify metabolic links in various soybean cultivars.

A remarkable microleafhopper genus emKoreoneura/em gen. nov. and newly recorded genus of the tribe Dikraneurini from Korea (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

Koreoneura eunyeopae Hossain et J. Kwon gen. et sp. nov., the biggest microleafhopper from East Asia, dwelling on Cornus coreana, along with a newly recorded genus, Igutettix Matsumura, 1932 based on I. oculatus (Lindberg), 1928, are described and illustrated from Korea. A key to the genera and checklist of Korean dikraneurine species are provided.

The Insect database in Dokdo, Korea: An updated version in 2020.

BACKGROUND: Dokdo, a group of islands near the East Coast of South Korea, comprises 89 small islands. These volcanic islands were created by an eruption that also led to the formation of the Ulleungdo Islands (located in the East Sea), which are approximately 87.525 km away from Dokdo. Dokdo is important for geopolitical reasons; however, because of certain barriers to investigation, such as weather and time constraints, knowledge of its insect fauna is limited compared to that of Ulleungdo. Until 2017, insect fauna on Dokdo included 10 orders, 74 families, 165 species and 23 undetermined species; subsequently, from 2018 to 2019, we discovered 23 previously unrecorded species and three undetermined species via an insect survey. NEW INFORMATION: As per our recent study, the database of insect species on Dokdo has been expanded to 10 orders, 81 families, 188 species and 23 undetermined species. This database has been registered in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF; www.GBIF.org) and is the first record for insect fauna on Dokdo.

Taxonomic revision of the microleafhopper subgenus Alnetoidia Dlabola from Korea (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

Four species of Alnetoidia Dlabola, 1958 s. str. are described and illustrated. Among them, Alnetoidia (Alnetoidia) jejudoensis sp. nov. is new to science and Alnetoidia (Alnetoidia) straminea Anufriev, 1972 is newly recorded for the Korean fauna. A key to the Korean species is provided.

First record of the leafhopper genus Scaphomonus Viraktamath from Korea, with description of one new species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae).

The leafhopper genus Scaphomonus Viraktamath, 2009 is reported from the Korean peninsula for the first time, based on the discovery of a new species: Scaphomonus naejangsanus sp. nov. A checklist and keys to world Scaphomonus species are given.

Taxonomic revision of the microleafhopper genus Naratettix Matsumura (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from Korea.

The genus Naratettix Matsumura, 1931 from Korea is revised. With the three previously recorded species, N. cheondungsanus sp. nov. is described as new to science, and N. ibukisanus Matsumura, 1931 is reported for the first time from Korea. Descriptions, illustrations and a key to the Korean Naratettix species are provided.

Two new species and two newly recorded species of the subgenus Empoasca Walsh from Korea (Hemiptrea: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

Two new species of the subgenus Empoasca (Empoasca) Walsh 1862 from Korea are described: E. giusana sp. nov. and E. palgongsana sp. nov. The following two species are newly recorded from Korea: E. ishiharai Anufriev, 1973 and E. longa Zhang and Liu, 2011. A key and checklist of Korean species of this subgenus are also provided.

Taxonomic revision of the microleafhopper genus Limassolla Dlabola from Korea (Hemiptrea: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae).

Four species belonging to the genus Limassolla Dlabola, 1965 from Korea are revised. Among them, L. koreana sp. nov., an occasional pest of persimmon trees (Diospyros kaki) is new to science. L. macrobipunctata Choe, 1986 (nom. nud.) is validated by providing a description and illustration, and L. multipunctata (Matsumura, 1920) is newly recorded for the Korean fauna. Descriptions, illustrations and a key to the Korean species are provided here.

Seasonal Abundance of Deer and Horse Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the Northern Part of Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

The seasonal abundance of horse and deer flies (family Tabanidae) was analyzed using Mosquito Magnet(®) traps at 5 sites located near/in the demilitarized zone, northern Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea from late April to early October for 4 consecutive years (2010-2013). A total of 2,999 horse and deer flies (tabanids) belonging to 5 genera and 20 species were collected. Chrysops mlokosiewiczi (90.9%) was the most frequently collected, followed by Haematopota koryoensis (4.8%) and C. suavis (1.0%). The remaining 17 species comprised only of 3.3% of all species collected. C. mlokosiewiczi demonstrated bimodal peak populations during mid-June and early August, while H. koryoensis demonstrated a unimodal peak during mid-July. Overall numbers of tabanids collected were influenced by the previous year's winter temperatures and precipitation. Population abundance was influenced by habitat with most of tabanids collected from habitats near forested areas, followed by rice paddies, and a beef farm.

Louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae: Ornithomyinae) of the Republic of Korea: an updated checklist, including two new records of bird louse flies.

One genus, Ornithoica Rondani, and two species, Ornithoica momiyamai Kishida, and O. unicolor Speiser, are reported for the first time from the Republic of Korea. A total of six species, including two new records, of louse flies were collected from 78 birds belonging to 35 species from Seoul and Incheon Metropolitan Areas and Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Gyeongsangbuk, Jeollabuk, and Jeollanam Provinces, 2005-2010. An updated checklist of Korean hippoboscids consisting of seven genera (Hippobosca L., Icosta Speiser, Lipoptena Nitzsch, Ornithoica Rondani, Ornithoctona Speiser, Ornithomya Lattreille, and Ornithophila Rondani) and 11 species is presented, including hosts, collection records, and repositories.