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Amynthas seungpanensis Song and Paik, 1970 (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) is an endemic and ecologically important species in Korea; however, knowledge regarding its genetic characteristics is lacking. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of A. seungpanensis . The mitogenome is 15,085-bp long and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 major non-coding region, the control region. This mitogenome has an arrangement identical to that observed in the mitogenomes of most earthworms, and all 37 genes are transcribed from the same directional strand. All 13 PCGs have the same start codon (ATG). Six PCGs ( COI , COII , ND6 , CytB , ATP6 , and ND4 ) end with TAA and ND4 ends with TAG, whereas the remaining genes exhibit an incomplete stop codon, T. The A/T content of the complete mitogenome is 65.8%; however, it varies among regions and genes as follows: control region, 77.8%; srRNA genes, 65.8%; lrRNA genes, 68.8%; tRNA genes, 64.2%; and PCGs, 65.0%. Results of phylogenetic analyses suggested the family Megascolecidae to be a monophyletic group with the highest nodal support, whereas the genus Amynthas , which belongs to Megascolecidae, was determined to be non-monophyletic., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Asiagomphus coreanus (Doi & Okumura, 1937) belongs to the family Gomphidae in the order Odonata, and has been listed as an endemic species in South Korea. Here, we assembled its complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) which is 15,649 base pairs (bp) in length. The A. coreanus mitogeneome consists of a typical set of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes] and one major non-coding A + T-rich region which is 846 bp long. The gene arrangement of the species was identical to that of commonly found in the majority of the insects. Phylogenetic analyses using the concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes of the representative odonate mitogenomes by Bayesian inference method revealed that A. coreanus belongs to the Gomphidae family with a strong nodal support (Bayesian posterior probabilities = 1). Unlike previous phylogenetic analyses (with regards to suborder relationships) the suborder Anisozygoptera-which was represented by a single species, Epiophlebia superstes- was placed as the sister to Zygoptera., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the author(s)., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

To meet the increasing demands of the society in the current era, new strains of the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) are being continuously bred. Consequently, cataloging the genetic information of pure lines is essential. The strain Jam 146, whose larvae have atypical pale, crescent-shaped body markings, is an important breeding resource due to its excellent fecundity. In this study, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of this strain using next-generation sequencing. The complete genome of this strain has a gene arrangement typical of Lepidoptera. The length of the Jam 146 mitogenome (15,661 bp) is well within the range reported in other B. mori strains, i.e. between 15,629 (Baiyun strain, China) and 15,676 bp (Hukpyobeom strain, South Korea). However, the total length of protein-coding genes, 3,733 codons in Jam 146 and two other silkworm strains previously reported from South Korea, is 13 codons longer than that in other B. mori strains. Phylogenetic analysis of 22 silkworm strains from nine countries showed that the Jam 146 strain forms a strong cluster with three other strains from China, Japan, and South Korea, suggesting that after their split from a common ancestor, the evolutionary divergence among the silkworm strains in these countries has been limited., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the author(s)., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Coleophora therinella Tengström, 1848 is the first report for the family Coleophoridae in Lepidoptera. The 15,539-bp long complete genome has an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes. COI had the atypical CGA codon that is frequently found in the start region of the lepidopteran COI, and COII had the GTG codon found previously in Drosophila yakuba ND5 and Rattus norvegicus ND1 . The 457-bp long A + T-rich region was the second largest, next to Blastobasis lacticolella , which belongs to Blastobasidae in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The A/T content of the whole mitogenome was 80.7%; however, it varied among the regions/genes as follows: A + T-rich region, 94.8%; srRNA , 85.0%; lrRNA , 84.3%; tRNAs, 81.5%; and PCGs, 78.9%. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and two RNA genes using the maximum likelihood method, placed Coleophoridae, represented only by C. therinella , as the most basal lineage of the Gelechioidea families consisted of Stathmopodidae, Scythrididae, Blastobasidae, Autostichidae, and Oecophoridae, but nodal support for this grouping was very low (27%). Currently, several families of Gelechioidea are represented by a single species. Thus, extended sampling is required for further reasonable inference for the relationships of these families., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Monopis longella Walker, 1863 (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) comprises 15,541 bp and contains a typical set of genes and one non-coding region. The gene arrangement of M. longella is unique for Lepidoptera in that it has a trnI - trnM - trnQ sequence in the A + T-rich region and ND2 junction. Unlike most other lepidopteran insects, in which the COI gene has CGA as the start codon, M. longella COI has an ATT codon. Phylogenetic analyses based on the concatenated sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes, using the Bayesian inference (BI) method, placed M. longella in the Tineidae, sister in position to the cofamilial species, Tineola bisselliella , with the highest nodal support. Tineidae, represented by three species including M. longella , formed a monophyletic group with high support (Bayesian posterior probability = 0.99). Within Tineoidea the sister relationship between Tineidae and Meessiidae was obtained with the highest support, leaving Psychidae occupying the basal lineage of the two families., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

We sequenced the mitochondrial genome (mitogeome) of the summer heath fritillary bullterfly, Mellicta ambigua Ménétriès, 1859 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), which is listed as an endangered insect in South Korea. The 15,205-bp long complete genome contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 A + T-rich region with an arrangement identical to that observed in most insect mitogenomes. Unlike the other PCGs, COI had the atypical CGA start codon frequently found in lepidopteran COI . The A/T content of the whole mitogenome was 80.57%; however, it varied among the regions/genes as follows: A + T-rich region, 93.39%; srRNA , 85.37%; lrRNA , 84.92%; tRNAs, 81.13%; and PCGs, 79.22%. Phylogenetic analyses using concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNAs placed M. ambigua as a sister group to the within-tribe species, Melitaea cinxia , with the highest nodal support both in the maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

We report the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of a case-making moth Acanthopsyche nigraplaga Wileman, 1911 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae). The 15,704 bp long complete mitogenome comprises a typical set of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes] and one major non-coding, A + T-rich region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran mitogenomes. Twelve of the 13 PCGs of the A. nigraplaga mitogenome initiate with a typical ATN start codon, however COI contains the atypical CGA start codon that is common for lepidopteran COI genes. A phylogenetic analysis using concatenated nucleotide sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes using the Bayesian inference method fully resolved A. nigraplaga in a monophyletic clade within the Psychidae. Acanthopsyche nigraplaga was situated in a sister position to Eumeta variegata and Mahasena oolona with high nodal support. As more mitogenome sequences are available further scrutinized analysis for the superfamily Tineoidea including Psychidae will be possible., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

We report the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Pterodecta felderi (Callidulidae: Lepidoptera), which is the first mitogenome sequences in the family Callidulidae, a monotypic family in the superfamily Calliduloidea. The 15,340-bp long complete mitogenome consists of a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and 1 major non-coding A + T-rich region, which are arranged in a way that is frequently observed in Lepidoptera. Of the 13 PCGs, 12 P. felderi start with ATN, except for COI, which starts with CGA. The P. felderi mitogenome consists of 210-bp long intergenic-spacer sequences and 27-bp long overlaps. Phylogenetic analysis of superfamilial relationships in the lepidopteran clade Obtectomera with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes using the Bayesian inference method showed that Calliduloidea, which is only represented by P. felderi , was placed as the most basal lineage about Macroheterocera (Lasiocampoidea, Bombycoidea, Mimallonoidea, Noctuoidea, and Drepanoidea), Papilionoidea, and Pyraloidea., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

In this study, we announce the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Korean endemic firefly, Luciola unmunsana Doi, 1931. The full-length circular genome was 15,858 bp, with 77.94% A/T content. It contained the typical set of 37 metazoan genes: 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, as well as an A + T-rich region. The gene arrangement of the species is identical to that of the ancestral arrangement found in the majority of insects. The maximum-likelihood tree, built using all PCGs and two rRNAs via randomized accelerated maximum likelihood (RAxML) showed that L. unmunsana was grouped as a sister to L. curtithorax with the highest nodal support. However, another Luciola species clustered with the Aquatica species such that the genus Luciola was a non-monophyletic group. Therefore, more sampling is required to clarify the phylogeny of Luciola ., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Scythris sinensis Felder & Rogenhofer, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Scythrididae) was 15,216 bp with a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one non-coding region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes. Twelve PCGs had the typical ATN start codon, whereas COI had the atypical CGA codon that is frequently found in the start region of the lepidopteran COI . The 271-bp long A + T-rich region was the shortest among sequenced Gelechioidea, which ranged from 290 - 375 bp. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs, two RNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes using the Bayesian inference (BI) method, placed S. sinensis in the Scythrididae, as a sister to the family Stathmopodidae. The nodal support for this sister relationship was the highest at Bayesian posterior probabilities = 1., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Amorophaga japonica Robinson, 1986 (Lepidoptera: Tineidae), comprises 15,027 base pairs (bp) and contains a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes), and 1 non-coding region. The genome has an arrangement, trnW - trnY - trnC , instead of typical trnW - trnC - trnY at the ND2 and COI junction. This arrangement is unique in lepidopteran mitogenomes. Unlike most lepidopteran insects, which have CGA as the start codon for the COI gene sequence, A. japonica COI had a typical ATT codon. The A + T-rich region was unusually short, with only 199 bp. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes using the Bayesian inference method placed A. japonica in Tineidae as a sister to the cofamilial species, Tineola bisselliella , with high nodal support (Bayesian posterior probability [BPP] = 0.99), presenting the superfamily Tineoidea in a monophyletic group with a BPP of 0.99. Gracillarioidea, represented by three species of Gracillariidae, formed a monophyletic group with the highest BPP, but the Leucoptera malifoliella in Yponomeutoidea was unusually grouped together with the Gracillarioidea with the highest nodal support. As more mitogenome sequences are available, further analysis to infer the relationships among superfamilies of Lepidoptera might be possible., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula White, 1845 (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is an invasive pest that attacks forest as well as agricultural trees. We sequenced the 15,798-bp long complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of this species; it consists of a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one major non-coding A + T-rich region. The orientation and gene order of the L. delicatula mitogenome are identical to that of the ancestral type found in majority of the insects. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogeny placed the L. delicatula examined in our study, together with other geographical samples of the species in a group with the highest nodal support, forming the subfamily Aphaeninae to which L. delicatula belongs., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors., (© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Acropteris iphiata belongs to the family Uraniidae in the superfamily Geometroidea (Lepidoptera). We sequenced 15,346-bp long complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species, which consists of a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one major non-coding A + T-rich region. The A. iphiata mitogenome harbored the gene order tRNA Met , tRNA Ile , and tRNA Gln between the A + T-rich region and ND2 that is found in most lepidopteran mitogenomes. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) phylogeny, using 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) and 2 rRNAs showed that A. iphiata was placed as a sister to Geometridae with the highest nodal support (Bayesian posterior probabilities for BI = 1.00 and Bootstrap support for ML = 100)., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The silver stripped skipper, Leptalina unicolor Bremer and Grey, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), is listed as endangered insect in South Korea. We sequenced the whole genome (15,854 bp) of L. unicolor species using Next-Generation Sequencing method and the subsequent gap-filling method. This genome included a set of typical genes and one major non-coding A + T-rich region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes. Twelve protein-coding genes (PCGs) had the typical ATN start codon, whereas COI had the atypical CGA codon that is frequently found in the start region of the lepidopteran COI . The 757-bp long A + T-rich region was the second largest among completely sequenced Hesperiidae, which ranged from 234 to 793 bp. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed by maximum-likelihood method using the concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs and two rRNAs of available species of Hesperiidae, including that of L. unicolor (a total of 28 species). The resulting phylogeny provided strong support for monophyletic Heteropterinae in which L. unicolor belongs, with the highest nodal support and a sister relationship between current L. unicolor and co-subfamilial species Carterocephalus silvicola with a bootstrap value of 91%., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Recently, a new silkworm strain with a peculiar larval marking and rare cocoon colour was bred in Korea for educational learning and exhibition. In order to obtain the genetic information of the newly bred strain, Chilseongjam Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), its complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) was sequenced. The mitogenome is 15,660 bp in length, contains a typical set of genes, and has gene arrangement and composition typical of Lepidoptera. However, the Chilseongjam strain mitogenome is 4-36 bp longer than 19 other strains originating from other countries and 16 bp shorter than the whole genome of a Korean Hukpyobeom strain. In particular, the Chilseongjam strain has an intergenic spacer sequence that is shorter than that of the Hukpyobeom strain at the tRNA His and ND4 junction as it has fewer microsatellite-like AT repeats. Phylogenetic analyses conducted using a total of 21 silkworm strains originating from nine countries revealed a few subgroups with moderate-to-high nodal support (80-94%). The Korean Chilseongjam strain formed a relatively strong subgroup (85%) with a Japanese strain (J106) instead of the Korean Hukpyobeom strain., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The dragonfly Libellula angelina Selys, 1883 (Odonata: Libellulidae) has been listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is also an endangered insect in South Korea. We sequenced the whole genome (15,233 bp) of L. angelina species, which included a set of typical genes and one major non-coding AT-rich region with an arrangement identical to that observed in most insect genomes. The A + T-rich region harbored one identical repeat composed of 65 bp and two tRNA-like structures ( trnF and trnK -like sequences) with proper anticodon and clover-leaf structures. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the concatenated sequences of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) and two rRNAs of the representative odonate mitogenomes utilizing both Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood methods revealed a strong support for the monophyletic Zygoptera and a moderate to high support for the monophyletic Anisoptera suborders. Unlike that in conventional phylogenetic analysis, a relatively strong sister relationship was revealed between the suborders of Anisozygoptera and Zygoptera., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the female-wingless bagworm moth, Eumeta variegata Snellen, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae), is 15,660 base pairs (bp) and contains a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one non-coding region, with an arrangement identical to that observed in most lepidopteran genomes. Twelve PCGs contained the typical ATN start codon, whereas COI had the atypical CGA codon, which is frequently detected in the start region of the lepidopteran COI . The A + T-rich region was unusually short with only 94 bp. A recent report of the same species originating from Japan revealed a lack of trnE and trnF and a 1,118 bp long A + T-rich region. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes using the Bayesian inference method placed E. variegata in Psychidae, as a sister to a within-familial species, Mahasena colona , with the highest nodal support (Bayesian posterior probability = 1)., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The dragonfly Macromia daimoji Okumura, 1949 (Odonata: Macromiidae) has been listed as an Endangered insect in South Korea. We sequenced the complete 15,198 bp mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of this organism, which is the first mitogenome sequence reported from the family Macromiidae. The genome includes a typical set of genes [13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and one non-coding region with an arrangement identical to that observed in most insect genomes. Phylogenetic analyses using concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes using the Bayesian inference (BI) method placed Macromiidae, represented by M. daimoji , as a sister group to Libellulidae with the highest nodal support [Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPP) = 1]. Unlike conventional phylogenetic analysis, the suborders Anisozygoptera and Zygoptera formed a strong sister group (BPP =1), justifying the use of different molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The tiger beetle, Cicindela anchoralis Chevrolat, 1845 (Coleoptera: Carabidae), has been listed as an Endangered insect in South Korea. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of this organism (16,388 bp). The genome includes a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and 1 non-coding region with an arrangement identical to that observed in most insect genomes. Twelve PCGs had the typical ATN start codon, whereas ND1 had the atypical TTG codon. The AT-rich region is 1629-bp long, composed of 80.0% A + T nucleotides, and has no long repeat sequences. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated sequences of the 13 PCGs and 2 rRNA genes, using the Bayesian inference (BI) method, placed C. anchoralis as a sister to the within-subfamilial species Habrodera capensis , with the highest nodal support presented by both BI and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. Three subfamilies represented by more than one species (Cicindelinae, Harpalinae, and Carabinae) were all determined by both BI and ML analyses to form strong monophyletic groups., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Zeuzera multistrigata Moore, 1881 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), which is an economically damaging pest to a diverse range of Casuarina trees. The 15,260-bp-long mitogenome of this species consists of a typical set of genes, with an arrangement typical of ditrysian Lepidoptera. Of the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 12 have a typical ATN start codon, whereas the COI gene begins with CGA. Ten of the 13 PCGs end with TAA, whereas COI , COII , and ND5 ended with an incomplete termination codon, T. Phylogenetic analysis using 13 PCGs of available superfamilies in Apoditrysia indicated that Z. multistrigata , belonging to the superfamily Cossoidea, formed a sister group with the confamilial species Eogystia hippophaecolus ; however, the nodal support for this group was low (46%). As more mitogenomes from ancient groups of Lepidoptera become available, further robust phylogenetic analysis and inference will be possible., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the pumpkin fruit fly, Bactrocera depressa (Diptera: Tephritidae), which is an economically damaging pest of pumpkin and turban squash. The 15,832-bp-long complete mitogenome of the species consists of a typical set of genes, with an arrangement typical of insects. Of the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 12 have a typical ATN start codon, whereas the COI gene begins with TCG, which has been identified as the start codon for all Bactrocera COI genes. The 1004-bp A + T-rich region of B. depressa is the third longest, after B. minax and B. scutellata , of the Bactrocera species for which the whole mitogenome has been sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis using the 13 PCGs of Bactrocera species indicated that B. depressa is a sister to the sister group containing B. tau and B. cucurbitae with the highest nodal support (Bayesian posterior probability =1.0)., Competing Interests: A declaration of interest statement reporting no conflict has been inserted. Please confirm the statement is accurate., (© 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Currently, the mitochondrial genome of only two species of Sphingidae have been completely sequenced. For the phylogenetic study of Bombycoidea (including Bombycidae, Saturniidae and Sphingidae) using mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), more species are required as a basis for future research. In the present study, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of the hawkmoth, Notonagemia analis scribae (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), to enrich the Sphingidae database. The length of the N. a. scribae genome was 15,303 bp with a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes), and one major non-coding A + T-rich region. The COI gene had a CGA start codon, which is the start codon for this gene in the majority of lepidopteran species, whereas other PCGs began with ATN codons. A 318-bp A + T-rich region harbored the blocks of conserved sequences that are typically found in lepidopteran insects, excluding a poly-A stretch, which is typically found at the end of the A + T-rich region. Phylogenetic analysis using the 13 PCGs indicated that N. a. scribae grouped together with two within-familial species, Sphinx morio and Manduca sexta , with the highest nodal support both by Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood methods, forming the Sphingidae monophyletic group., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (2015R1D1A3A03018119)., (© 2016 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an Asian species introduced into North America and Europe. It damages a wide variety of thin-skinned fruits. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) to better understand the mitogenomic characteristics of this species. The 16 230-bp complete mitogenome of the species consists of a typical set of genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes, and one major non-coding A + T-rich region, with an arrangement typical of insects. Twelve PCGs began with the typical ATN codon, whereas the COI began with TCG, which has been designated as the start codon for other Drosophila species. The 1525-bp A + T-rich region is the second longest in Drosophila species for which the whole mitogenome has been sequenced, after D. melanogaster . Phylogenetic analysis using the 13 PCGs of the Drosophila species indicated that D. suzukii is placed, with a strong support, in the basal lineage of the previously defined Melanogaster group., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article., (© 2016 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.)

We have sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the pine moth Dendrolimus spectabilis Butler (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), which has been a serious pest for the Japanese red pine ( Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) in Korea. The 15 409 bp complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species consists of a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes) and the A + T-rich region, with an arrangement typical of Ditrysia in Lepidoptera. The 320 bp long A + T-rich region of D. spectabilis contains the motif ATAGA near the 5'-end of the srRNA, with a 14 bp-long poly-T stretch - the ATTTA sequence - and a microsatellite-like sequence consisting of (TA) 7 , but lacks the poly-A stretch often found immediately upstream of tRNA Met in other Lepidoptera. A phylogenetic analysis using 13 protein-coding genes from Bombycoidea and Lasiocampoidea has shown that D. spectabilis was placed as a sister to the congeneric species group, D. tabulaeformis  +  D. punctatus ., (© 2016 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.)

The flower chafer Osmoderma opicum (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) has been listed in Korea as a class II endangered wild species. The 15 341-bp complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species consists of a typical set of genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], two rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes) and the A + T-rich region, with an arrangement typical of insects. The 761-bp long A + T-rich region of O. opicum has a microsatellite-like sequence consisting of (TA) 6 , along with a poly-T (12 bp) and a poly-A (16 bp) stretch, but does not have a longer repeat sequence often found in other Scarabaeidae. Twelve PCGs started with the typical ATN codon, whereas the COI started with AAC, which has been designated as the start codon for the coleopteran suborder Polyphaga. Phylogenetic analysis using 11 PCGs from Scarabaeidae showed that O. opicum was placed as the sister to the within-subfamilial species Myodermum sp., forming the monophyletic group, the subfamily Cetoniinae, with moderate to high nodal support., Competing Interests: This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR), funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of the Republic of Korea (NIBR201503103)., (© 2016 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.)