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This study represents the first report of the complete mitochondrial genome of a carnivorous stag beetle, Figulus punctatus. The genome is 17,664 bp long with a total of 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA. The nucleotide composition is 37.25% A, 31.71% T, 10.00% G, and 20.99% C (GC contents 30.99%). Our molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum-likelihood method recognizes Figulini and Nigidiini as a monophyletic clade, with a robust support value, and suggests that their carnivorous feeding trait may have evolved once within the family.

For an ongoing systematic study of Korean Vespidae, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of a social wasp, Vespula rufa (Linnaeus 1758), from the South Korea. The mitogenome is 17,521 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The nucleotide composition is 40.5% adenines, 43.0% thymines, 6.0% guanines, and 10.5% cytosines. The GC content is 16.5%. A maximum-likelihood analysis was conducted to understand phylogenetic relationships, based on 13 complete mitogenome sequences of Vespinae species. We recognized that V. rufa is being placed basal within the genus Vespula. The complete mitochondrial genome of V. rufa provides useful genetic information for further studies.

The taxonomic validity of Dolichovespula kuami, especially in relation to D. flora, has been the subject of a long-term debate. Herein, the valid specific status of the former was supported through an integrated analysis of morphological characters and DNA barcodes. The pronotal rugae and male genitalia of the two species are different, and partial mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI) indicate that they form significantly distinct lineages. The hitherto unknown male of D. kuami is described for the first time, and a brief discussion of the D. maculata species group is provided.

Abstract The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) is an invasive species in South Korea with negative economic, ecological, and public health impacts. We investigated genetic and morphological variation in the species populations on Mt. Jiri, the tallest mountain in South Korea. We hypothesized that a high-altitude would be negatively correlated with the genetic diversity of the hornet population, and hornet wing morphology would change with an increase in altitude. Our results showed that the genetic diversity of yellow-legged hornets did not decrease as altitude increased. Regardless of the altitude, the inbreeding coefficient was high at the newly colonized sites. A single genetic population occurred in the mountainous areas examined and gradually expanded its range. Wing morphology, especially shape, did not change with an increase in altitude or decrease in temperature. Although snow cover and cool temperatures at high altitudes could limit nest-building activities, they did not prevent the extension of the range of the species. Therefore, the yellow-legged hornet cannot be controlled naturally by climate or topography; combined approaches, including chemical control, nest removal, and bait-trapping techniques should be implemented.

Parasitic moths are common in social wasp (Hymenoptera) nests, attacking many species of Polistinae and a few species of Vespinae. In the Republic of Korea, two moth species are known to parasitize the brood of Polistes rothneyi koreanus: Pyralis regalis (Pyralidae) and Anatrachyntis japonica (Cosmopterigidae). Although previously reported elsewhere, a novel case of parasitization was recently documented in the Republic of Korea, in which Hypsopygia mauritialis (Pyralidae) was identified in the nests of social wasps. Pyralis regalis is the most common parasitic moth in the Republic of Korea, feeding on the nests of 11 species of social wasps, mostly the Korean Vespa species. To that list of hosts, we add a species of Dolichovespula and two species of Polistes. Parasitism of Vespa velutina nigrithorax, an invasive alien hornet, by both P. regalis and H. mauritialis, was observed for the first time. However, their potential to control invasive alien hornets is expected to be low. This study provides new insights into the diversity of nest-parasitic moths in social wasp nests and their hosts in the Republic of Korea, and highlights the potential for these moths to impact pest populations.

Bareogonalos xibeidai Tan and van Achterberg, 2017 (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae) was newly recognized in South Korea. The species was reared from the nest cells of the Korean yellowjacket, Vespula koreensis koreensis Radoszkowski, 1887 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), which is a new host record for the trigonalid species. Diagnoses and images of the species and genus are provided in the present study.

The complete mitochondrial genome of carnivorous Nigidius miwai was analyzed prior to a study on evolution of carnivorous pathway within the family. This species’ genome had a total length of 18,462 bp (GenBank accession number: OL597607), comprising 36 genes along with 13 protein-coding genes, 21 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an A + T rich region. The nucleotide composition was 37.2% A, 33.8% T, 9.2% G, and 19.8% C (GC contents 29.0%). The phylogenetic tree indicated that N. miwai is a distinctive species within Nigidiini of Lucaninae.

Nidus vespae, commonly known as the wasp nest, has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor properties. However, the anti-obesity effects of Nidus vespae extract (NV) have not yet been reported. This study aimed to elucidate the potential anti-obesity effects of NV in vivo and in vitro, using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, respectively. NV administration to HFD-induced obese mice significantly decreased the mass and plasma lipid content of adipose tissues. Uncoupling protein-1 expression was significantly higher in the inguinal white adipose tissues of NV-treated mice than in those of HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, we found that NV inhibited the differentiation and intracellular lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by regulating the insulin signaling cascade, including protein kinase B, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, and adiponectin. These findings suggest that NV may exhibit therapeutic effects against obesity by suppressing adipose tissue expansion and preadipocyte differentiation, thereby providing critical information for the development of new drugs for disease prevention and treatment. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the anti-obesity effects of NV.

The family Ismaridae Thomson, 1858 is reported from the Afrotropical region for the first time. A total of 15 species are recognised, 14 of which are described as new: Ismarus africanus sp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa; I. apertus sp. n. from Kenya; I. bicolor sp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya; I. goodrichi sp. n. from Kenya; I. kakamegensis sp. n. from Kenya; I. kenyensis sp. n. from Kenya; I. laevigatus sp. n. from South Africa; I. madagascariensis sp. n. from Madagascar; I. minutus sp. n. from Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe; I. nigrofasciatus sp. n. from Malawi, Uganda; I. notaulicus sp. n. from Kenya; I. rawlinsi sp. n. from Kenya, Malawi; I. steineri sp. n. from Madagascar; I. watshami sp. n. from Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe. Ismarus halidayi Förster is reported for continental Africa from South Africa (new record). We provide an identification key to all species in Afrotropical region.

Leluthia honshuensis Belokobylskij & Maeto, 2006 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was found as an ectoparasitoid of the first- and second-instar larvae of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora grabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Gwangneung forest, Pocheon, Republic of Korea. This discovery was made during the investigation for parasitoids of ALB in 2016. We report here the first known host of Leluthia as the ALB. In addition, a diagnosis and detailed photographs of L. honshuensis are given. Images of the holotype specimen are also provided for comparison.

Spatial and temporal variation in ecological environments may result in spatial and temporal variation in communities. Temporal studies of biodiversity are essential for forecasting future changes in community structure and ecosystem function. Therefore, determining the mechanisms that drive temporal change in communities remains an important and interesting challenge in ecology. We quantified spatial and temporal variations in carabid beetle communities and site-specific environmental factors for 5 years at nine study sites on three mountains in the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, Korea. Carabid beetle communities exhibited significant temporal variation, which was larger than spatial variations between and within mountains. Environmental factors mostly varied between sites within mountains. Community variation was only weakly associated with environmental factors at wide scales, i.e., between sites on three mountains, but was strongly associated at narrow spatial scales, i.e., between sites within one mountain. Our results indicate that temporal variation in communities occurs in response to variations in the local climate, and that the patterns of temporal variation differ between mountains. Thus, temporal surveys of insect communities and climates at local scales are important for predicting temporal changes in the communities.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a horntail wasp, Tremex fuscicornis, was analyzed prior to a systematic study on South Korean Siricidae. This species genome has a total length of 16,359 bp (GenBank accession number: MT425058), consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an A + T rich control region. The nucleotide composition is 41.8% T, 38.2% A, 14.3% C, and 5.7% G. The result of the maximum-likelihood analysis indicates that T. fuscicornis is a distinctive species in Siricidae, and this mitogenomic sequence can be used as a reference for phylogenetic studies on the superfamily Siricoidea.

We analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of a social wasp, Vespa simillima simillima from South Korea prior to a systematic study on Korean Vespidae. The mitogenome is 16,740 bp in length, includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a 228 bp short A + T-rich region. The overall base composition is 82.0% AT and 18.0% GC. The maximum-likelihood analysis suggested that V. s. simillima is closely related to V. bicolor, another species of Vespidae.

Yellow-throated martens (YTMs) are omnivores that often prey on wasps in late autumn in Korea. However, to the best of our knowledge, predation of the invasive alien species Vespa velutina nigrithorax (VVN) has not previously been investigated. In this study, YTM feces were collected and analyzed from Mt. Onggangsan, Sinwon-ri, Cheongdo, South Korea, where VVN density was high and YTMs were active. Surveys were conducted three times between October and December 2019, during which a total of 22 samples were collected. Debris from VVN was found in three samples, along with evidence of two indigenous wasps, Vespa crabro and Vespula koreensis. The VVN remains were identified as one queen, four males, one female, and one individual whose caste was unclear. Martens prey on wasps, owing to a sudden decrease in plant food sources from late autumn to early winter, mostly eating males and new queens attempting to mate. If VVN reproduction is prevented or disturbed by YTM predation, there may be potential biological control effects in areas with high VVN density. Further studies should be conducted to verify whether there is a practical biological control effect.

Trichopria keralensis is recorded for the first time from South Korea and Japan and a detailed redescription and photographs of this species are given. The genus Alareka is a junior synonym of Trichopria syn. n. Alareka keralensis is transferred to Trichopria keralensis comb. n. T. keralensis and closely related species are referred to the keralensis species group of Trichopria. The keralensis species group is recorded here for the first time from the East Palaearctic, West Palaearctic, Afrotropical and Australian (Oceanian) regions. The multiple original spellings of Alareka, Alarika, Alareka keralensis and Alareka keralaensis are resolved.

The species of Aphelopus Dalman (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) from South Korea are reviewed. Sixteen species are listed, of which fifteen are new records from South Korea: Aphelopus atratus (Dalman, 1823); Aphelopus bennetti Olmi, 2004; Aphelopus camus Richards, 1939; Aphelopus luteoceps Xu & He, 1999; Aphelopus maetoi Olmi, 1995; Aphelopus malayanus Olmi, 1984; Aphelopus melaleucus (Dalman, 1818); Aphelopus nepalensis Olmi, 1984; Aphelopus nigriceps Kieffer, 1905; Aphelopus prolatus Mita & Olmi, 2014; Aphelopus querceus Olmi, 1984; Aphelopus serratus Richards, 1939; Aphelopus spadiceus Xu & He, 1997; Aphelopus urbaini Olmi, 2003; Aphelopus zhaoi Xu, He & Olmi, 1998. Keys to South Korean species of Aphelopus are also provided.

Two species of the genus Parthenocodrus Pschorn-Walcher, 1958 (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupidae) are reported: P. elongatus from Japan and South Korea and P. puncticauda from South Korea. Parthenocodrus elongatus is easily distinguished by having posterior surface of propodeum without transverse carinae and ovipositor sheath with distinct longitudinal striations. Parthenocodrus puncticauda is easily distinguished by having posterior surface of propodeum with transverse carinae and ovipositor sheath without distinct longitudinal striations. This genus is also newly recorded in each country. Redescriptions and photographs of the diagnostic characters are provided. All specimens for this study are deposited in the Yeungnam University (YNU), Gyeongsan-si, South Korea.

Urban expansion threatens ecosystems through direct habitat conversion. To secure urban biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services, a common focus of planning and growth management efforts is to establish green spaces. This study aimed to understand the formation process of newly created green spaces after urban development. We investigated the carabid beetle assemblages in its current habitat in a new city and in its former habitats for assessing the loss of species diversity by urban development and to identify the initial status of species assemblages in the current urban habitats, including green spaces. The diversity and composition of the carabid beetle assemblages significantly changed in the new city. The former habitat loss by urban development leaves large numbers of carabid species to dramatically decline. Carabid assemblages in current habitats may show a critical response to habitat loss, although former habitats were converted to green spaces. Some carabid species were only present in current habitats, including the green space from former habitats. In addition, the current habitat, including green spaces and other habitats, have similar carabid assemblages. Our results indicated that the loss of former habitat has a much greater effect on species diversity persistence than changes in habitat configuration and the creation of green spaces. Consequently, most carabid beetles were already lost during development. Urban habitats in new cities, including green spaces, represent simple and homogeneous habitats, although the development was designed and planned to enhance biodiversity. The present design and planning practice for green spaces that destroyed all former habitats to prepare the ground of urban areas and thereby created urban habitats, including green space, may need to be changed to secure biodiversity. Designing and planning the green spaces should consider the species’ former habitats, for instance, creating a similar type of green space to agricultural land, forest, and wetland, and thereby the former habitat remains intact to enhance biodiversity and function.

The Palaearctic species of Ismaridae Thomson, 1858 are reviewed. Thirteen species of Ismaridae are recognized from the Palaearctic. Five species are described as new: Ismarus brevis Kim & Lee sp. nov. from the Russian Far East and South Korea; I. distinctus Kim, Notton & Ødegaard sp. nov. from Norway and the United Kingdom; I. excavatus Kim & Lee sp. nov. from China, Japan and South Korea; I. similis Kim, Notton & Lee sp. nov. from the United Kingdom and I. tripotini Kim & Lee sp. nov. from South Korea. Ismarus apicalis Kolyada & Chemyreva, 2016 is newly recorded from China, France, Japan and South Korea; I. dorsiger (Haliday, 1831) from France, Montenegro, Norway, South Korea and Switzerland; I. flavicornis (Thomson, 1858) from Bulgaria and Norway; I. grandis Alekseev, 1978, I. halidayi Förster, 1850 and I. multiporus Kolyada & Chemyreva from Japan and South Korea; I. rugulosus Förster, 1850 from Austria and I. spinalis Kolyada & Chemyreva, 2016 from China, Japan and South Korea. An identification key to all species found in the Palaearctic region is presented.

In the present paper, we make a first report on the complete mitochondrial DNA genome of Leptaulax koreanus, a Korean endemic species, in Passalidae. The mitogenome is 18,730 base pairs with 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a 4240 bp long AT-rich region. The overall base composition is 78.4% AT and 21.6% GC. The maximum likelihood analysis suggested that L. koreanus is a sister to other Scarabaeoidea species.

Previously, 13 species in six genera of the subfamily Banchinae and 29 speices in 16 genera of the subfamily Pimplinae were known from Korea. In this paper, two species, Rynchobanchus minomensis (Uchida, 1933) and Theronia laevigata nigra Uchida, 1928 are new to Korea. Also, the genus Rynchobanchus is recorded for the first time in Korea. Only one species of Theronia, Theronia atalantae (Poda, 1761), was recorded from Korea by Uchida (1928). New Korean names proposed for these two species are “Eol-gul-ga-si-maep-si-beol” and “Geom-jeong-nap-jak-maep-si-beol” for the R. minomensis and T. laevigata nigra, respectively. A key to the species of Theronia, diagnosis and photographs of diagnostic characters of them are provided.