Understanding the genetic basis of growth and moltism in silkworm (Bombyx mori) is essential for improving silk production efficiency and elucidating the mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity. Thus, this study aimed to establish a collection of 20 representative B. mori core strains and perform integrative genomic analyses combining genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and population-specific variant detection. A total of 5,293,831 high-confidence single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified across the population, and GWAS revealed significant associations between specific genetic loci and four growth-related traits: larval weight at day 7 of the fifth instar, pupal weight, cocoon weight, and cocoon layer weight. Among these, two missense variants within the Cycb gene were significantly correlated with increased body weight at the late fifth instar stage, suggesting a potential role for this isoform in regulating cell-cycle-driven tissue expansion during rapid larval growth. Moreover, a population-based comparison identified 2803 trimolter-specific missense SNVs in 1440 genes, of which 109 were functionally annotated. Notably, homozygous variants were detected in key developmental regulators, such as MET1 and TOR1, implying potential alterations in juvenile hormone signaling and nutrient-dependent growth pathways that may contribute to the dominant trimolter phenotype. Although experimental validation remains necessary, these findings provide a genomic framework for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying moltism variation and offer valuable resources for future silkworm genetic improvement.

Bombyx mori is a key insect in the sericulture industry and one of the very important economic animals that are responsible for not only the livelihood of many farmers internationally but also expended biomedical use. The National Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the Rural Development Administration of Korea (NIAS, RDA, Korea) has been collecting silkworm resources with various phenotypic traits from the 1960s and established breeding lines for using them as genetic resources. And these breeding line strains have been used to develop suitable F1 hybrid strains for specific use. In this study, we report the whole-genome sequences of 37 breeding line B. mori strains established over the past 60 years, along with the description of their phenotypic characteristics with photos of developmental stages. In addition, we report the example phenotypic characteristics of the F1-hybrid strain using these breeding line strains. We hope this data will be used as valuable resources to the related research community for studying B. mori and similar other insects.

A highly polarizable moisture sensor with multimodal sensing capabilities has great advantages for healthcare applications such as human respiration monitoring. We introduce an ionically polarizable moisture sensor based on NaCl/BaTiO₃ composite films fabricated using a facile aerosol deposition (AD) process. The proposed sensing model operates based on an enormous NaCl ionization effect in addition to natural moisture polarization, whereas all previous sensors are based only on the latter. We obtained an optimal sensing performance in a 0.5 µm-thick layer containing NaCl-37.5 wt% by manipulating the sensing layer thickness and weight fraction of NaCl. The NaCl/BaTiO₃ sensing layer exhibits outstanding sensitivity over a wide humidity range and a fast response/recovery time of 2/2 s; these results were obtained by performing the one-step AD process at room temperature without using any auxiliary methods. Further, we present a human respiration monitoring system using a sensing device that provides favorable and stable electrical signals under diverse respiratory scenarios.

The twobanded Japanese weevil <italic>Pesudocneorhinus bifaciatus</italic> Roelofs, 1879 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the black planthopper<italic> Ricania speculum</italic> Walker, 1851 (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae), which damage a wider range of host plants were investigated for their in-filed occurring pattern during July to October 2024 in the Seonun-ro, Gwangsan-gu and the arboretum of Chonnam National University in Gwangju. <italic>P. bifaciatus</italic> first occurred on July 30 and remained active until October 2, with its peak occurrence observed on September 18. The species was found on four plant species, with the most severe damage to the border privet <italic>Ligustrum obtusifolium</italic>. <italic>P. bifaciatus</italic> was confirmed to attack a previously unreported host plant, the tree of heaven<italic> Ailanthus altissima</italic>. <italic>R. speculum</italic> was observed from July 17 to August 28, reaching its peak on August 7. The species was found on ten plant species, with the most severe damage to the spikenard<italic> Aralia cordata</italic>, the border privet, <italic>L. obtusifolium</italic>, and the chinaberry tree<italic> Melia azedarach</italic> L.. Moreover, <italic>R. speculum</italic> was newly identified on the Korean abeliophyllum<italic> Abeliophyllum distichum</italic>, the oriental chaff flower<italic> Achyranthes japonica</italic>, the spikenard<italic> A. cordata</italic>, the Korean goldenbell tree<italic> Forsythia koreana,</italic> the gardenia<italic> Gardenia jasminoides,</italic> the chinaberry tree<italic> M. azedarach</italic> L., and the Japanese photinia<italic> Photinia glabra</italic> for the first time. The two species were identified using the DNA barcode sequences. Current study provides fundamental insights into the ecology of these two species and serve as foundational data for establishing pest management strategies to mitigate potential damage to several host plants.

ABSTRACT The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Tropilaelaps mercedesae (Acari: Laelapidae), which is a serious ectoparasite of several honeybee species, was sequenced and characterized for its genomic features. The results were then compared with those of other available Dermanyssoidea members and used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within Dermanyssoidea. Moreover, the current T. mercedesae mitogenome from South Korea was compared with publicly available data from China to determine suitable genes for a subsequent population‐level study. Peculiarly, the 15,119‐bp long T. mercedesae mitogenome has an 899‐bp‐long control region containing four copies of a repeat unit that are interrupted by non‐repeat sequences. Additionally, T. mercedesae has a new gene arrangement among the Dermanyssoidea species, revealing eight translocated genes, one inverted tRNA block, and one inverted and translocated tRNA. Phylogenetic analyses, which included all available public data, clearly indicated non‐monophyletic Laelapidae to which the current T. mercedesae is included. Comparison of two geographic samples of T. mercedesae evidenced several protein‐coding genes, including nad5 and cytB (the two most variable), which had higher variability than that of cox1 , thus suggesting the potential usefulness of these gene sequences for population genetic studies. Current T. mercedesae mitogenome sequences could provide baseline information for subsequent population‐level studies and phylogenetic inferences at diverse taxonomic levels within Dermanyssoidea.

The phylogenetic relationships within Limacodidae remain unresolved, highlighting the need for expanded genomic resources. This study presents the first complete mitochondrial genome of <i>Austrapoda dentatus</i>, 15,354 bp in length and comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and an A+T rich region. The gene arrangement follows the typical Lepidopteran pattern. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 13 protein-coding genes supports A. <i>dentatus</i> and <i>Apoda limacodes</i> as sister taxa within the <i>Apoda</i> clade. These findings aid in understanding Limacodidae phylogeny and emphasize the importance of securing broader mitochondrial genome sequences across the family.

Dielectric films have traditionally been used to address warp (referred to as Out of Plane Distortion (OPD) henceforth) caused during wafer processing. However, such films usually exhibit uniform stress and can only address global parabolic warp when the film thickness is held constant. This approach fails when wafers exhibit a so-called “saddle shape” caused by directional patterning involving word lines and bit lines. It also does not address local warp in the wafer caused by patterning density variations due to the layout of the device. This local warp can pose challenges to “chuckability” of the wafer and can lead to issues with film thickness uniformity, CD uniformity, besides influencing the In Plane Distortion (IPD) of the wafer resulting in overlay/edge placement issues during patterning steps. This paper proposes an innovative approach that combines film deposition with a subsequent ion implantation step to modulate the stress on the wafer. In this approach, the dielectric film(s) stack serves as a Stress Compensation Layer (SCL), while the subsequent ion implantation selectively modifies the stress on the SCL. This approach is shown to address both the anisotropic global wafer warp as in the aforesaid saddle shape and local warp, simultaneously resolving issues with chuckability and device overlay. Co-optimization of the film properties such as stress and thickness along with implant parameters such as species, energy and dose allow maximum entitlement for warpage correction. The paper discusses key challenges and implementation of this optimization technique in High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) for memory devices with a special emphasis on 3DNAND and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) device integration.

The southern armyworm (SAW) Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) and the yellow-striped armyworm (YSAW) Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are designated as regulated quarantine pests in South Korea and quarantine pests in Europe because of their potential to cause serious economic losses when introduced outside their native ranges. In this study, we developed rapid loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays with in-field applicability for the first time to detect SAW and YSAW. To design these assays, we selected 5 and 6 genomic regions specific to SAW and YSAW, respectively, from the whole-genome sequences of the 2 target species, along with those of 12 nontarget species (including 5 Spodoptera species and 7 lepidopteran species that infect similar hosts). We assessed the specificity of these regions to each target species. The developed markers consistently detected SAW and YSAW using 1 antenna, 1 leg, and 1/16 of a thoracic muscle. The detection time was a maximum of 30 min for SAW and 35 min for YSAW, including the crude DNA extraction time. Consistent positive reactions were noted for all markers using crude DNA extracted from the 3 aforementioned tissue types, even when employing a simplified incubation-only method omitting the tissue chopping step. The LAMP reaction mixture, which was pre-mixed to streamline the in-field process, remained stable for up to 20 d at -20 °C. The 5 and 6 LAMP markers developed for SAW and YSAW, respectively, could serve as reliable in-field diagnostic tools individually or in combination to enable cross-verification and increase diagnostic confidence.

Understanding the genetic basis of growth and moltism in silkworm (Bombyx mori) is essential for improving silk production efficiency and elucidating the mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity. Thus, this study aimed to establish a collection of 20 representative B. mori core strains and perform integrative genomic analyses combining genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and population-specific variant detection. A total of 5,293,831 high-confidence single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified across the population, and GWAS revealed significant associations between specific genetic loci and four growth-related traits: larval weight at day 7 of the fifth instar, pupal weight, cocoon weight, and cocoon layer weight. Among these, two missense variants within the Cycb gene were significantly correlated with increased body weight at the late fifth instar stage, suggesting a potential role for this isoform in regulating cell-cycle-driven tissue expansion during rapid larval growth. Moreover, a population-based comparison identified 2803 trimolter-specific missense SNVs in 1440 genes, of which 109 were functionally annotated. Notably, homozygous variants were detected in key developmental regulators, such as MET1 and TOR1, implying potential alterations in juvenile hormone signaling and nutrient-dependent growth pathways that may contribute to the dominant trimolter phenotype. Although experimental validation remains necessary, these findings provide a genomic framework for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying moltism variation and offer valuable resources for future silkworm genetic improvement.

Bombyx mori is a key insect in the sericulture industry and one of the very important economic animals that are responsible for not only the livelihood of many farmers internationally but also expended biomedical use. The National Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the Rural Development Administration of Korea (NIAS, RDA, Korea) has been collecting silkworm resources with various phenotypic traits from the 1960s and established breeding lines for using them as genetic resources. And these breeding line strains have been used to develop suitable F1 hybrid strains for specific use. In this study, we report the whole-genome sequences of 37 breeding line B. mori strains established over the past 60 years, along with the description of their phenotypic characteristics with photos of developmental stages. In addition, we report the example phenotypic characteristics of the F1-hybrid strain using these breeding line strains. We hope this data will be used as valuable resources to the related research community for studying B. mori and similar other insects.