Population structure and adaptive signals in the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera inferred from...

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), is a highly migratory insect pest that poses a significant threat to rice production in East and Southeast Asia. Although considerable advances have been made in understanding its migration sources and dispersal patterns with the advent of newer molecular tools, genomic-level insights into these processes, as well as its environmental adaptation mechanisms, remain limited.

This study conducted whole-genome resequencing of 289 WBPH individuals from China and Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, to investigate population structure, gene flow and selective signals. Our nuclear and mitochondrial genome analysis revealed minimal genetic differentiation among populations across these regions, suggesting extensive gene flow within and between geographical areas. Consistent demographic patterns across subpopulations highlighted a slight population size reduction during the Last Glacial Maximum, around 20 000-25 000 years ago. The Central China (HBJZ population, Jingzhou, Hubei Province) seems to be a transient hub, with individuals migrating in before dispersing northward across China. Composite likelihood ratio analysis identified 560 regions, encompassing 229 genes, as potential targets of selective sweeps. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses revealed significant enrichment in pathways associated with circadian rhythm, muscle development and function, and cellular responses to cold stress, suggesting adaptive mechanisms that enhance flight endurance and energy efficiency during migration.

This study provides a comprehensive genomic resource for investigating the migratory behavior and adaptive strategies of WBPH, shedding light on the genomic basis of its evolutionary adaptation across diverse habitats and agroecosystems in Asia. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.