The insect specimens of Du-Myung Seok, known as the 'Fabre of Korea,' are still preserved at the Faculty of Agriculture.

Estimations of the pre-war environment of the Korean Peninsula and expectations for the conservation of rare species

POINT

• Du-Myung Seok (1908-1950) was the first Korean entomologist who contributed to the taxonomy of butterflies
• Throughout his life, Seok collected 750,000 butterfly specimens, but most of them were believed to have been destroyed during the Korean War and other conflicts.
• However, it was discovered that insect specimens, including rare species collected by Seok in the Korean Peninsula during the 1930s and 1940s, are still preserved at Kyushu University. A joint Japan-Korea investigation was conducted, and a list was compiled and published.
• Based on the specimens confirmed this time, it is expected that the pre-war environment of the Korean Peninsula will be estimated and the conservation of rare species will be carried out.

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SUMMARY

The insect specimens of Du-Myung Seok, the first Korean entomologist, were believed to have been destroyed during the war. However, a joint investigation by the National Institute of Biological Resources of Korea (led by Biologist AHN Neung-Ho) and Kyushu University (led by Research Professor HIROWATARI Toshiya) revealed that 129 specimens of 35 species collected by Seok in the Korean Peninsula during the 1930s and 1940s are preserved at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University. These specimens were donated to Kyushu University by Seok himself in the 1930s, during his interactions with Japanese entomologists such as OKAJIMA Ginji, ESAKI Teiso, SUGITANI Iwahiko , and SIBATANI Atuhiro .

Among them were rare species such as the Small Blue Plebejus argus, which is only found on Jeju Island in Korea, the large parasitic wasp Umanoo Bachi Eurobracon yokahamae, and the grassland-dwelling Korean Antlion Libelloides sibiricus, whose populations are declining. Insect specimens collected in the Korean Peninsula before the war are rarely preserved in Korea, making them crucial for understanding the environment of that time. The specimens of Du-Myung Seok were transferred from Kyushu University to the National Institute of Biological Resources of Korea in September 2024. The discovery of numerous specimens by Seok garnered significant attention in Korea, leading to extensive media coverage and the organization of a symposium.

The results of this research were published in the Korean academic journal Journal of Species Research (JSR) on November 30, 2024.

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From Research Professor Toshiya Hirowatari

At Kyushu University, we have preserved the specimens collected and donated by Du-Myung Seok for over 90 years. We believe it is better for these specimens to be managed and utilized collectively in Korea. Korean researchers conducted thorough investigations at Kyushu University, confirming many of Seok's specimens. They expressed their gratitude for the long-term management of these specimens and were very pleased with their transfer to Korea. We hope this will further advance joint research between our two countries.

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Postscript

On November 28, 2024, a special symposium on Du-Myung Seok was held at the annual meeting of the Korean Entomological Society at the National Institute of Biological Resources in Incheon, Korea, to commemorate the discovery and transfer of Seok's specimens. Four speakers gave presentations at this symposium (Reference Material 1). Research Professor Toshiya Hirowatari delivered a lecture titled 'Japanese Entomologists Associated with Du-Myung Seok in the 1920s-1940s' (Reference Material 2).

Chair: Neung-Ho Ahn
Kim Chanmu, Head of the National Institute of Biological Resources of Korea (On Donated Specimens and the Institute's Storage Facilities)
HIROWATARI Toshiya, Research Professor at Kyushu University (On Du-Myung Seok and Japanese Entomologists)
Moon Manyong, Professor at Jeonbuk National University (On Du-Myung Seok and the History of Taxonomy in Korea)
Yoon Yongtaek, Professor at Jeju National University (On Du-Myung Seok, the Renaissance Man of Korea)
(presentation topics in parentheses)

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Paper Information

Journal: Journal of Species Research 13(4):404-416, 2024
Title: List of insect collection by Du-Myung Seok preserved at Kyushu University in Japan
Authors: Neung-Ho Ahn, Wanggyu Kim, Changmu Kim, Sadahisa Yagi, Jinhyeong Park, Satoshi Kamitani,Toshiharu Mita and Toshiya Hirowatari
DOI：10.12651/JSR.2024.13.4.404

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For Research-related inquiries

HIROWATARI Toshiya, Research Professor