A novel design of a portable funnel light trap (PFLT) was presented for collecting insects in ecological studies. The trap consists of a compact plastic box equipped with a light source and power source, along with two plastic polypropylene interception vanes. The PFLT costs 18.3 USD per unit and weighs approximately 300 g. A maximum of six PFLT units can be packed in one medium-sized backpack (32 cm × 45 cm × 15 cm, 20 L), making it easier to set up multiple units in remote areas wherein biodiversity research is needed. The low cost and weight of the trap also allows for large-scale deployment. The design is customizable and can be easily manufactured to fit various research needs. To validate the PFLT’s efficacy in collecting insects across different habitat types, a series of field experiments were conducted in South Korea and Laos, where 37 trials were carried out. The PFLT successfully collected 7497 insects without experiencing battery issues or damage by rain or wind. Insect compositions and abundances differed across the three sampled habitat types: forests, grasslands, and watersides. This new FLT trap is an important tool for studying and protecting insect biodiversity, particularly in areas wherein conventional light traps cannot be deployed.

Until the early 2000s, the genus Propomacrus was known to comprise two species, occurring in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast China. The discovery of Propomacrus muramotoae Fujioka in Tibet and subsequently in Bhutan and Nepal, might play a crucial role in bridging the geographical distribution gap of the Euchirini tribe between the Mediterranean and Central China, offering profound insights into its evolution and biogeography. However, all specimens, including the holotype specimen, were sourced from a single insect vendor, with no further specimens found or catalogued in museum collections thereafter. During our examination of a P. muramotoae specimen from a private collection in South Korea, we found its COI gene sequence to be identical to that of P. bimucronatus (Pallas) from Turkey, a species known for its wide distribution and genetic variability across regional populations. This overlap in genetic identity raised significant doubts, further compounded by our detection of deliberate modifications in essential diagnostic features during morphological examination. All three specimens we examined showed crude modifications, including staining and artificial grinding. Despite our inability to access the P. muramotoae type specimens for direct examination—a challenge we attempted to overcome through various means—it is evident that significant fraudulent tampering has occurred with the P. muramotoae specimens. Therefore, a new synonymy is proposed: Propomacrus bimucronatus Pallas, 1781 = P. muramotoae Fujioka, 2007 (syn. nov.). We also advocate for a straightforward verification of the type specimen through molecular analysis of the COI barcode region and morphological re-examination under a microscope for those who have access to the type specimens.

Sampling is one of the most important and fundamental processes in field biology. Among many sampling methods in entomology, window traps have long been considered one of the most effective and standardized methods. Unfortunately, the DNA quality of samples collected by window traps is typically low due to incursion by water, mainly via rainfall. Water cannot be avoided in long‐term surveys, even with a roof, due to wind and condensation. As we move into the genomics era, this shortfall in DNA quality has become problematic for molecular biomonitoring, and solutions are urgently needed. In this study, we developed the Water‐Exclusion Trap (WET), a 3D printable long‐term storable bottom collector for window or pitfall traps. The collection medium in WETs does not dilute because water is excluded and evaporation is limited, maximizing DNA preservation. Our field tests show that the WET outperforms conventional traps in preserving DNA quality. Insect samples preserved in WETs in the field had significantly higher PCR success rates and DNA Integrity Numbers compared to conventional traps. The WET addresses a critical challenge in the use of window traps, DNA degradation caused by water intrusion, and represents a significant advancement in fieldwork for genomic research in entomology. We provide the 3D printing template of the WET, enabling immediate, free use for all. Furthermore, it can be easily customized for different environments and purposes, and can be adapted to a variety of other traps, including pitfall traps, funnel traps and more.

A new species of the genus Enoploderes Faldermann from South Korea, Enoploderes breviantennatus (이른봄꽃하늘소, i-reun-bom-kkot-ha-neul-so) is described. Full descriptions of both sexes with male genitalia and diagnosable characters comparing to its closest congener, Enoploderes bicolor Ohbayashi, 1941 are provided. Biological notes including photograph of eggs and larvae in nature are also provided.  

The family Throscidae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea) is taxonomically reviewed from Korea. To date, the taxonomic study on Throscidae from Korea is insufficient, as only a single species has been reported in the fauna prior to this study. We newly recognized three species belonging to the genus Aulonothroscus, which is recorded for the first time from Korea. A new species, Aulonothroscus koreanus sp. nov., is described and two additional species are reported as new to Korea: Aulonothroscus laticollis (Rybiński, 1897) and Aulonothroscus longulus (Weise, 1879), raising the total number of known species of Korea to four. Herein, we provide a key to genera and species, descriptions, and images of diagnostic morphological features of the Throscidae fauna of Korea.