Eight species belonging to two genera of the Laboulbeniales, parasitic on the family Carabidae and Staphylinidae of the order Coleoptera, were collected from Upo natural swamp in 1996-2001. They are as follows; Laboulbenia anoplogenii parasitic on Platynus daimio, L. cristata on Paederus parallelus, L. egens on Tachys laetifica, L. flagellata on Platynus daimio, L. pedicellata on Bembidion morawitzi, L. philonthi on Philonthus wuesthoffi, L. stenolophi on Acupalpus inornatus and Philonthus longicornis, and Peyritschiella biformis on Philonthus micaticollis. Among these species, the genus Platynus as the host of L. anoplogenii and the genus Acupalpus as the host of L. stenolophi are new to science. Bembidion morawitzi as the host of Laboulbenia pedicellata and Philonthus micanticollis as the host of Peyritschiella biformis are new to Korea.
Beetles ; Humans ; Korea ; Wetlands*

Six species of the genus Laboulbenia were collected from some regions of Yunnan Province, China, in July, 1994. They are as follows; Laboulbenia acupapi Spegazzini was collected on Abacetus submetallicus (Nietner) and Stenolophus iridicolor Redtenbacher. The host of this fungus has been only found on genus Acupalpus in the world so far, but it was newly found on genus Abacetus and Stenolophus. Laboulbenia anoplogenii Thaxter subsp. abaceti Santamaria was collected on Abacetus submetallicus (Nietner). Laboulbenia elaphri Spegazzini was collected on Nebria ochotica Sahlberg, but the host of this fungus has been only found on genus Elaphrus in the world so far. It was newly collected on genus Nebria. Laboulnebia flagellata Peyritsch was collected on Harpalus platynotus Bates and Platynus sculptipes (Bates). Laboulbenia polyphaga Thaxter was collected on Harpalus bungii Chaudoir. Laboulbenia vulgaris Peyritsch was collected on Bembidion misellum Harold and Bembidon scopulium (Kirby).
Beetles ; China* ; Fungi

Pheropsophus jessoensis, bombardier beetle, when physically assaulted, produces diverse toxicants, often at high concentrations, including acids, aldehydes, phenols, and quinones. They can eject these fluids forcibly, in the form of sprays, at 100degrees C. In this way, it induces a chemical burn to their enemies, including humans. We experienced a man who got a chemical burn by a biological pulse jet from Pheropsophus jessoensis, which has not been reported in the Korean literature.
Aldehydes ; Beetles ; Burns, Chemical* ; Humans ; Phenol ; Phenols ; Quinones

The pathologic changes of verrucae and molluscum contagiosum are limitted chiefly to epidermis, therefore treatment with cantharidin which forms acantholytic bulla is successful. Canthrides is dried, powdered blister beetle, and cantharidin is its purified active ingredient. Its primary cutaneous effect is acantholysis and death of epidermal cells. For topical treatment, catharidin was prepared as a 0.9% solution in mixture of 50% of acetone, 25% of ether and 25% flexibIe collodion U.S.P. The therapeutic efficacy of cantharidin was excellent to eliminate the lesions of verrucae and molluscum contagiosum, showing the complete recovery of 114 out of 117 lesions of verrucae, and 520 out of 550 lesions of molluscum contagiosum with 1 to 3 topical applications. From the above results, it should be pointed out that cantharidin has the several advantages at clinical uses for the treatment of verrucae and molluscum contagiosum: 1 No residual scarring. 2. No pain. 3. Excellent therapeut!c efficacy.
Acantholysis ; Acetone ; Beetles ; Blister ; Cantharidin* ; Cicatrix ; Collodion ; Epidermis ; Ether ; Molluscum Contagiosum* ; Warts*

During an investigation of fungi from an elm tree infested with bark beetles in Korea, one isolate, DUCC401, was isolated from elm wood. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and 28S rDNA (large subunit) sequences, the isolate, DUCC401, was identified as Mariannaea samuelsii. Mycelia of the fungus grew faster on malt extract agar than on potato dextrose agar and oatmeal agar media. Temperature and pH for optimal growth of fungal mycelia were 25degrees C and pH 7.0, respectively. The fungus demonstrated the capacity to degrade cellobiose, starch, and xylan. This is the first report on isolation of Mariannaea samuelsii in Korea.
Agar ; Beetles ; Cellobiose ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Fungi ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Solanum tuberosum ; Starch ; Ulmus ; Wood

Japanese pine sawyer beetle (Monochamus alternatus) is an economically important pest in coniferous trees. Ophiostoma ips was isolated from the beetle and identified based on analysis of morphological properties and the beta-tubulin gene sequence. The fungus easily produced perithecia with a long neck on malt extract agar and its ascospores were rectangular shaped. This is first report of Ophiostoma species associated with the pinewood nematode vector beetle in Korea.
Agar ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Beetles ; Coniferophyta ; Fungi ; Humans ; Korea ; Neck ; Ophiostoma ; Trees ; Tubulin

The ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, is a serious pest of oak trees in Korea. In this study we investigated filamentous fungi present in the body of the beetle. Fourteen genera of filamentous fungi belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were isolated. Among the isolated fungi, some were able to produce wood degrading enzymes. This is first report of fungi associated with P. koryoensis.
Ambrosia ; Ascomycota ; Basidiomycota ; Beetles ; Fungi ; Insect Vectors ; Insects ; Korea ; Platypus ; Quercus ; Wood

The ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, is an economically important pest affecting oak trees in Korea. Candida kashinagacola was isolated from galleries of the beetle in oak wood and identified by analyses of morphology, physiological properties, and nucleotide sequence of the large subunit ribosomal DNA. This is the first report on Candida species associated with oak wilt disease vectored by the ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis, in Korea.
Ambrosia ; Base Sequence ; Beetles ; Candida* ; Disease Vectors* ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Korea* ; Platypus* ; Quercus ; Wood

BACKGROUND: Paederus derriattis is a peculiar linear lesion caused by an insect belonging to genus Paederus, family Staptylinidae, order Coleoptera. The deliberate or accidental contact of crushed coelomic fluid of th insect, on the skin causes acute lesions due to a t.oxin(pederin) being released. OBJECTIVE: The study was nade in order to investigate an epidemic status of the peculiar der matitis and its causative agent of factor prevailing in the midwest area of Kyungpuk province. METHODS: We performed field approaches on 633 cases(M: 303, F: 330) including cases enrolled in a local clinic, teamiring up with a local skin clinician over the 3-month period of August November in 1994. RESULTS: 1. The captive insect causing the present dermatits, was identified as Paederus fuscipes(PF). The epidemic might be attributeid to the climatic conditions with higher temperature than usual during the period of July-eary September in the past year by 3-4degrees C as well as a lower relative humidity. The active temperature zone for PF was presumed to be about 15.5+1.2degrees C to 28.9+1.0degrees C 2. There was the highest p;evalence of 412 cases(65.1%) in early September, followed by mid September, late August, early October and mid August in a small number of cases in decreasing order. The cases were not found after mid October. 3. All age groups were evealy represented. The sex ratio was 1: 1.1 with little difference. The majority of cases lived in Kiriich on city(80.3%), with a lesser outbreak in the neighboring coun ties and Kumi city. 4. The preferred site was the mainly exposed area such as face, neck and extremities. The number of lesion was single(60%) and multiple(40%). The lesion showed a common linear con figuration and acute irritant contact dermatitis consistent with the histologic finding. CONCLUSION: The unusual wiather conditions and poor environmental hygiene help to develop an ecosystem breakdown, which, in turn, sometimes influences the innocuous insects life to be harm ful being on humans, as like outbreak of PF dermatitis.
Beetles ; Dermatitis* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Ecosystem ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Extremities ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Humidity ; Hygiene ; Insects ; Neck ; Sex Ratio ; Skin

Colorado potato beetle is a most destructive insect pest of potato throughout the world. Although utilization of chemical insecticides is a main method for management of this pest, their negative side-effects such as threat to humans and the environmental pollution prompted researchers to search for natural alternatives. Recently plant essential oils with low or without side-effects against noun-targeted organisms and with high availability were considered as safe bio-pesticides. In the present study, toxicity of essential oil of Iranian lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus Stapf, was evaluated against 3th instar larvae and adults of Colorado potato beetle by a leaf dipping method. Results displayed essential oil had notable toxicity against both larvae and adults after 24 and 48 h exposure times. Probit analysis revealed LC₅₀ values (lethal concentration to kill 50% of population) with 95% confidence limits were 10.32 (9.17 – 11.72) and 7.76 (6.80 – 8.74) µl/ml for larvae and 6.27 (4.82 – 8.15) and 4.35 (3.24 – 5.62) µl/ml for adults after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Based on regression analysis, a positive correlation between log concentration of essential oil and insect mortality was achieved. Results indicated C. citratus essential oil can be candidate as a natural alternative to the harmful chemical insecticides in the management of Colorado potato beetle.
Adult ; Beetles* ; Colorado* ; Cymbopogon* ; Environmental Pollution ; Humans ; Insecticides ; Insects ; Larva ; Methods ; Mortality ; Oils, Volatile ; Plants ; Solanum tuberosum*