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Metabolic Flexibility in Insects: Patterns, Mechanisms, and Implications.

John S Terblanche¹, Philipp Lehmann²

¹Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa;

Annual Review of Entomology

|September 9, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Insects

Keywords:

energy homeostasis gut physiology nutrition resource limitation respiratory metabolism seasonality

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Area of Science:

Insect physiology and evolutionary biology.
Metabolic regulation and environmental adaptation.

Background:

Insect evolutionary success is linked to metabolic flexibility.
Metabolic flexibility allows adaptation to environmental stress and resource variability.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate mechanisms of metabolic flexibility in insects across different timescales.
To explore how metabolic flexibility influences fitness, population dynamics, and geographic ranges.

Main Methods:

Review of mechanisms including intermediary metabolites, transcription, and genetic adaptations.
Analysis of nervous system and hormonal responses.
Consideration of tissue remodeling and long-term genetic changes.

Main Results:

Metabolic flexibility involves short-term, medium-term, and long-term adaptive strategies.
Mechanisms range from metabolic pathways to genetic adaptations.
Flexibility confers fitness advantages in varied environments.

Conclusions:

Metabolic flexibility is a key factor in insect adaptation and evolutionary success.
Understanding these mechanisms has implications for pest management and species conservation.
Adaptability is crucial for insect survival in rapidly changing environments.