Gene expression of the winter moth in different photoperiods and life stages

The winter moth (Operophtera brumata) is a Lepidotera species that belongs to Geometridae family. Throughout the season, photoperiods differ, which may influence winter moth gene expression. To test whether different photoperiods experienced as caterpillar affects winter moth development, three photoperiodic treatments are applied to winter moth caterpillars. We found that caterpillars exposed to longer photoperiods develop faster than caterpillars exposed to shorter photoperiods in pupae stage. So timing of adult eclosion depends on the photoperiodic cues experienced as caterpillars. We did differential expression analysis on genes in three experiment groups at two time points, then we identified differentially expressed and up/down regulated genes between photoperiodic treatments. We found that photoperiods can impact the expression of genes that are related to the phototransduction, and some development related hormones. Also, we took samples from eggs, caterpillars and adults to analysis the gene expression of winter moth through its life cycle. We classified the gene expression through life cycle and identified life stage specific genes in each life stage, we analysed the biological events that are related to these life stage specific genes. The results suggest that photoperiods do have influences on gene expression of winter moth and can influence some important biological processes of winter moth development. In addition, the gene expression of winter moth in life cycle can provide more evidences of winter moth gene expression in further research.