The oriental armyworm genome yields insights into the long-distance migration of noctuid moths

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) 2022-12, Vol.41 (12), p.111843-111843, Article 111843
• Main Authors: Tong, Dandan, Zhang, Lei, Wu, Ningning, Xie, Dianjie, Fang, Gangqi, Coates, Brad S., Sappington, Thomas W., Liu, Yueqiu, Cheng, Yunxia, Xia, Jixing, Jiang, Xingfu, Zhan, Shuai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; development plasticity; insect migration; Moths - genetics; Mythimna separata; Noctuidae; Receptors, Cell Surface - genetics; seasonal adaptation; Spodoptera - genetics; Transcriptome
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111843

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, is known for its long-distance seasonal migration and environment-dependent phase polymorphisms. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome reference and integrate multi-omics, functional genetics, and behavioral assays to explore the genetic bases of the hallmark traits of M. separata migration. Gene family comparisons show expansion of gustatory receptor genes in this cereal crop pest. Functional investigation of magnetoreception-related genes and associated flight behaviors suggest that M. separata may use the geomagnetic field to guide orientation in its nocturnal flight. Comparative transcriptome characterizes a suite of genes that may confer the observed plasticity between phases, including genes involved in protein processing, hormone regulation, and dopamine metabolism. We further report molecular signatures that underlie the dynamic regulation of a migratory syndrome coordinating reproduction and flight. Our study yields insights into environment-dependent developmental plasticity in moths and advances our understanding of long-distance migration in nocturnal insect pests. [Display omitted] •Chromosome-level genome and gene editing system are presented for Mythimna separata•Silencing of magnetoreception-related genes disrupts the orientation of nocturnal flight•Conditional flight attenuates reproduction-flight trade-off via hormone regulation•Transcriptome profiles characterize genes underlying the phase differentiation Mythimna separata is a night-flying migrant that displays characteristic migratory syndrome. Tong et al. present its chromosome-level genome along with an efficient gene editing system. Their integrative study characterizes molecular signatures underlying the biology of nocturnal migration in terms of flight orientation, developmental plasticity, and trade-offs between flight and reproduction.