Core Insights - The research team led by Zhan Shuai from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified the core biological clock gene Cycle as a key regulator of diapause variation in silkworms, revealing the genetic basis for the diversity in their life history [1][4] - Insects, being the most widely distributed animal group on Earth, require effective seasonal adaptation strategies such as diapause to cope with adverse environmental conditions [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The study utilized temperature-induced diapause and non-diapause silkworm strains to construct mapping populations, pinpointing the main effect locus regulating diapause variation to the end of the Z chromosome [3] - A genome-wide association analysis involving 255 silkworm strains identified critical variation sites within the 5' end of the Cycle gene [3] - The Cycle gene encodes three isoforms through alternative splicing, with a specific 1-bp deletion in the C isoform of non-diapause strains leading to a frameshift mutation, while not affecting other isoforms [3] Group 2: Implications and Applications - The research provides new theoretical insights into the role of environmental factors in the phenotypic plasticity of insects, particularly in relation to diapause [4] - The findings highlight the significant role of the biological clock gene Cycle in the seasonal adaptation of insects, elucidating the specific variation mechanisms involved in adaptive evolution [4] - The molecular mechanisms uncovered in this study could inform pest management strategies, enabling the development of effective control measures and resource utilization in agriculture [4]