Core Insights - The research led by Professor Wang Yaohui's team from Anhui Agricultural University and researcher Zhan Shuai from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified a biological clock gene named Cycle that plays a crucial role in regulating insect diapause, revealing the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - Insects have evolved a survival strategy known as diapause, allowing them to pause their life cycle in response to harsh environmental conditions such as food shortages and extreme temperatures [1]. - The study focused on the silkworm and corn borer, utilizing genomic data analysis and genome editing to uncover the genetic regulation of diapause [1]. - The Cycle gene can produce three different variants (A, B, and C subtypes) through alternative splicing, with A and B subtypes regulating circadian rhythms, while the C subtype is responsible for triggering diapause in response to low temperatures or short daylight signals [1]. Group 2: Implications - This research represents a significant breakthrough in understanding seasonal adaptation in insects, providing new theories on how life interacts with the environment [2]. - The findings have important implications for understanding pest population dynamics, ensuring food security, and promoting ecosystem stability [2].

Core Insights - The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered that insects can cleverly utilize circadian rhythm genes to regulate their seasonal rhythms, enabling adaptation to different habitats and climates [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study focuses on the Lepidoptera order of insects, which includes moths and butterflies, and identifies the biological clock gene Cycle as a key molecular "switch" controlling diapause in silkworms [1]. - The Cycle gene in silkworms and Lepidoptera insects encodes three subtypes, with some responsible for circadian regulation and others for diapause control, achieving dual regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms [1][2]. - Tropical silkworms have lost the subtype that regulates diapause due to genetic mutations, resulting in an inability to undergo diapause [1]. Group 2: Implications - The research provides a theoretical basis for understanding the seasonal occurrence patterns of pest insects, particularly in the context of global climate change, which may affect population dynamics [2].