Living in night and day: genomics of light adapta­tions in moths as cater­pil­lars and adults

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Anna Stöckl and Prof. Dr. Axel Meyer (Univer­sity of Konstanz) are leading this inter­dis­ci­pli­nary project inves­ti­gat­ing how moths adapt to artifi­cial light at night. The study will inves­ti­gate how exposure to light during the cater­pil­lar stage affects vision, brain struc­ture and behav­ior in adult moths. By integrat­ing genomics, neuroanatomy, and behav­ioral research, the team is inves­ti­gat­ing changes in gene expres­sion, neural plastic­ity, and sensory adapta­tion. The project applies methods such as transcrip­tomics, epige­net­ics, and morpho­me­t­ric analy­sis across species. The research provides a compre­hen­sive under­stand­ing of how animals cope with rapidly chang­ing environ­ments, partic­u­larly anthro­pogenic influ­ences such as artifi­cial light­ing. This approach not only advances ecolog­i­cal and evolu­tion­ary research, but also contributes to conser­va­tion efforts by identi­fy­ing the effects of light pollu­tion on noctur­nal species.

The project Living in Night and Day: Genomics of Light Adapta­tions in Moths as Cater­pil­lars and Adults inves­ti­gates the effects of artifi­cial light at night on sensory adapta­tions in moths. Led by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Anna Stöckl and Prof. Dr. Axel Meyer (Univer­sity of Konstanz), this research integrates evolu­tion­ary biology, neuro­science, and ecology to uncover how light exposure during early devel­op­men­tal stages affects vision, neural struc­tures, and behav­ior in adult moths.

Many noctur­nal species, especially insects, face increas­ing environ­men­tal challenges due to artifi­cial light. While previ­ous studies have examined behav­ioral changes in response to light pollu­tion, this project uniquely examines the molec­u­lar and neural basis of these adapta­tions. It focuses on how cater­pil­lar exposure to artifi­cial light affects gene expres­sion, eye and brain morphol­ogy, and behav­ioral responses in adult moths. The research uses advanced genomic techniques such as transcrip­tomics, epige­net­ics (DNA methy­la­tion), neuroanatom­i­cal analy­sis, and behav­ioral track­ing in controlled environments.

The study involves two model species: the elephant hawkmoth (Deile­phila elpenor), a well-studied noctur­nal species with extreme low-light vision, and the humming­bird hawkmoth (Macroglos­sum stellatarum), a diurnal species with some larval noctur­nal feeding activ­ity. The project examines whether light-induced changes during metamor­pho­sis persist into adult­hood and how differ­ent species exhibit differ­ent levels of sensory plasticity.

By integrat­ing exper­i­men­tal and compu­ta­tional approaches, this project provides a compre­hen­sive frame­work for under­stand­ing how animals adapt to rapid environ­men­tal change. The results will contribute to biodi­ver­sity conser­va­tion by identi­fy­ing species most vulner­a­ble to light pollu­tion. In addition, by demon­strat­ing an innov­a­tive research model, the study paves the way for future inter­dis­ci­pli­nary research on the effects of anthro­pogenic environ­men­tal change on animal sensory systems.