m⁶A RNA Methylation in Insect Biology: A Bibliometric Analysis with a Focus on METTL3

RNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification is a pivotal post-transcriptional regulator of diverse biological processes. Despite the growing interest in insect epitranscriptomics, a systematic evaluation of research trends and hotspots remains lacking. Here, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to map the global landscape of METTL3 and m⁶A research in entomology over the past decade. Our results reveal a steady increase in publications, signaling a phase of rapid expansion in this field. Notably, the number of studies on METTL3 is significantly lower than that of general m⁶A research, suggesting that current efforts prioritize phenotypic over the mechanistic roles of core regulatory components. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identifies Bombyx mori, Locusta migratoria, and Drosophila melanogaster as the primary model systems. Research hotspots predominantly center on METTL3-mediated regulation of development, behavioral plasticity, immunity, and host-pathogen interactions. These findings highlight insect METTL3 as a burgeoning research frontier. Future studies should emphasize cross-species comparisons and the systematic dissection of regulatory networks to provide novel theoretical frameworks and molecular targets for sustainable pest management and resource insect utilization.