Regulatory mechanisms of reproduction in locusts and grasshoppers

Abstract

Locusts and grasshoppers are worldwide agricultural pests, with their reproductive regulation serving as the critical basis for group growth and dispersal. Advances in bioinformatics and molecular biology have expanded the understanding of reproductive regulation beyond physiological responses and classical neural control. Numerous coding and noncoding genes participate in the intricate regulatory networks of reproduction. Studies on locusts and grasshoppers not only shed light on regulatory mechanisms of non-Drosophila insects but also identify potential targets for pest control. However, a comprehensive summary of reproductive regulatory mechanisms in locusts and grasshoppers remains lacking. Here, we synthesize key findings on hormones, neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, multifunctional integrative genes, epigenetic factors, and population density-dependent regulation. We strengthen the interplay between extrinsic environmental factors and intrinsic gonadal systems of locusts and grasshoppers. Finally, we propose future directions for studies on the regulation of reproduction in locusts and grasshoppers.

Keywords

environmental signal / gonad development / phenotypic plasticity / reproduction

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