Pediciinae crane flies belonging to the genus Dicranota Zetterstedt, 1838 of the Korean Peninsula were studied beginning in 1933, but only seven species have been recorded from North Korea so far; the genus was unknown from South Korea. Seventeen species were found during our studies on the Peninsula, three of them described as new: D. (Eudicranota) distincta Podenas, sp. nov., D. (Rhaphidolabis) seoi Podenas, sp. nov., D. (Rhaphidolabis) yeongokia Podenas, sp. nov. Ten new species are added to the Korean species list, five of them new for North Korea with total number reaching twelve, and eleven species new for South Korea. Habitat, elevation range, and seasonality data is presented for each species. Images of taxonomically important morphological characters, distribution maps, and an identification key for all Korean species of the genus Dicranota are presented.

Two new crane fly species, Dicranomyia (Erostrata) jejuensis sp. nov. and D. (E.) koreana sp. nov., from Korea are described on the basis of morphology and mitochondrial COI sequences. DNA barcode sequences for other four D. (Erostrata) species from Korea are also provided for the first time. The identification key for all known D. (Erostrata) species is presented.

Brithura Edwards, 1916 (Diptera: Tipulidae) is a small genus of crane flies currently comprising 16 described species distributed across the East Palaearctic and Oriental regions. Although the adults of this genus rank among the largest representatives of the family Tipulidae, their immature stages have remained undocumented until now. In this study, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment sequences (DNA barcodes) of Brithura sancta Alexander, 1929 were analyzed using both recently collected adult specimens from the Republic of Korea and historical museum specimens from China (collected in 1933). These sequences were compared with COI data obtained from larvae collected in Republic of Korea. We present the first description, with detailed illustrations and ecological information, of the previously unknown final instar larva of Brithura, specifically for the East Palaearctic species B. sancta. Diagnostic larval characters for the genus are discussed. Additionally, a redescription and comprehensive morphological documentation of the adult male and female B. sancta, including habitus and genitalia, are provided. This study represents the first phylogenetic contribution to the taxonomy of Brithura larvae based on mitochondrial COI sequence data.

With growing interest in establishing national biological resources sovereignty and biodiversity, an organization called the Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR) was established in 2015 under the Ministry of Environment. By establishing NNIBR as Asia’s best freshwater bioresources research institute, it contributes to the acquisition of sovereignty over freshwater organisms, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable use of biological resources. Currently, over 540,000 biological specimens are deposited in NNIBR, and the specimens are divided by taxonomic group and preservation type and managed in seven storage facilities of 2,000 m², which can store a total of 6 million specimens. By securing and storing 70,000 specimens annually, biological resources are made into national assets and permanently preserved. Among the seven storage facilities, three, consisting of dried animals, plants, and liquid-preserved animals, are operating digitizing studios to produce high-definition multi-focus digital images and 3D images. In particular, NNIBR is leading the production of 3D images and videos using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) for the first time in Korea. As of April 2024, about 3,400 digital images have been generated, and in addition, since last 2023, digital images have been uploaded through the NNIBR’s website*1, making them easily accessible and usable for anyone. NNIBR is devoting itself to research with the ultimate goal of constructing a digital collection of the storage facilities through the continuous collection and management of biological specimens and the production and sharing of digital images.