Author:
Li Dandan,Kan Yunchao,Li Zhongwei
Abstract
In the last few years, the amount of genomic sequence data has grown exponentially. A large number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified from bacteria to humans. ncRNAs are various and multi-faced; they can regulate gene expression through chromosomal, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels and then participate in the whole process of development in different organisms. ncRNAs have been identified in the 1980s in Lepidoptera; they can play roles in growth, metamorphosis, metabolism, sex determination, reproduction, and immune response of insects. Now, the use of ncRNAs in pest control of Lepidoptera is also in process. This chapter will review the recent advance of ncRNAs in Lepidoptera and prospect the future studies of ncRNAs in insects.