There are genetic differences between migratory and non-migratory hoverfly.
In order to identify which genes determine which insects fly through a mountain pass, a team led by the University of Exeter captured migrating insects.
The summer hoverfly was compared to the genetic information.
"We found 1,543 genes that were different in their activity levels in the migrants," said Toby.
The range of roles these genes play astounded us.
"Migration is very demanding, so finding genes for metabolism was no surprise, but we also found genes with roles in muscle structure and function, immunity, stress resistance, flight and feeding behavior, sensory perception and for increasing longevity."
Billions of migratory hoverfly leave northern Europe and make a long journey south in the autumn.
They travel through the Pyrenees through high mountain passes.
There is an endless stream of hundreds of thousands of individuals through a 30-meter pass.
When the researchers started ordering the genes by function, they found that many of the genes were being activated in concert.
The pathways have been modified to allow for long-distance movement.
Future studies into the evolution of migration could be directed by the work.
The genetics of migration are being studied.
The existence of a shared "migratory gene package" that controls migration across multiple animals has been suggested by our research.
"Genome-wide transcriptomic changes reveal the genetic pathways involved in insect migration" is the title of the paper.
More information: Genome-wide transcriptomic changes reveal the genetic pathways involved in insect migration, Molecular Ecology (2022). DOI: 10.1111/mec.16588 Journal information: Molecular Ecology
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