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GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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PUBLIC SUMMARY
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Research into insect migration mechanisms supports population monitoring, outbreak prediction and pest control.
Genomic approaches uncover the molecular basis underlying insect migration.
Integrating advances in genomics and ecology is essential for migration-related research.
Migratory insect genomics has progressed rapidly in recent years and shows great application potential.
Rapidly evolving insect migration genomics reveal key mechanisms of this important biological phenomenon.
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ABSTRACT
Insect migration is a complex, large-scale biological phenomenon with profound ecological, evolutionary, and physiological significance. Numerous agricultural and non-agricultural insect species exhibit seasonal or multigenerational migratory behaviors. Resolving the mechanistic underpinnings of these behaviors is essential for understanding population dynamics, predicting outbreak risks, and improving pest management strategies. The rapid development and decreasing cost of high-throughput sequencing technologies have enabled the generation of high-quality reference genomes for an increasing number of migratory insects. These genomic resources offer unprecedented opportunities to investigate the molecular and evolutionary processes underlying migration. Despite these advances, critical gaps remain, including incomplete understanding of the genetic architecture and regulatory networks governing migratory traits. Additionally, challenges associated with assembling and annotating highly heterozygous insect genomes, the limited application of telomere-to-telomere and pan-genome approaches, and difficulties in linking genomic variation to migratory behavior under natural conditions still hinder our understanding. Furthermore, functional validation of candidate genes and translation of genomic knowledge into practical monitoring and pest management strategies remain limited. Integrative reviews that synthesize progress across genomics, molecular biology, population genetics, and ecology are crucial for facilitating systematic investigations of migration-related traits across multiple biological scales. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in genomics research of migratory insects, hence, offering a comprehensive overview of the rapidly advancing genomic and molecular foundations of insect migration, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive one of the most remarkable biological phenomena in nature.-
Keywords:
- migration /
- genome /
- sequencing technology /
- regulatory mechanism /
- adaptation
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Li H., Gabuin N. D., Yesaya A., et al. (2026). The genomics of adaptation in migratory insects. The Innovation Life 4:100218. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-life.2026.100218
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Li H., Gabuin N. D., Yesaya A., et al. (2026). The genomics of adaptation in migratory insects. The Innovation Life 4:100218. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-life.2026.100218
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Figure 1.
Trends in genome sequencing and assembly of migratory insects
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Figure 2.
Phylogenetic framework of migratory insects showing genome representation across major lineages
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Figure 3.
A diagrammatic model for interpreting wing-polymorphism regulation in the representative species of migratory insects
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Figure 4.
Diagrammatic illustration integrating the geomagnetic cues in migratory insects
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Figure 5.
Environmental regulation of reproductive and migratory trade-offs in migratory insects
