Study of insect metamorphosis

Author of the article:ZENG Bao-Juan** FENG Qi-Li****

Author's Workplace：Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Entomology, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Biotechnology for Plant Development,School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China

Key Words：metamorphosis, ecdysone, juvenile hormone, nutrient, receptor

Abstract：      Metamorphosis has allowed insects to become the biggest group of land organisms on the planet in terms of species number, overall numbers as well as to have a global distribution and huge diversity of living habits. Metamorphosis allows insects to have completely different morphological features, structures, functions and living habits at different life-stages,
which greatly expands their behavioral and ecological range. Metamorphosis is a result of long-term adaption to the natural environment and co-evolution. Metamorphosis is accurately regulated by insect hormones, nutrients and gene expression. This review provides a brief introduction to the types of metamorphosis, its regulation by hormones, nutrients and genes, and thescientific and practical significance of research on metamorphosis.