Fig. 5

Transcriptome analysis of genes related to energy consumption during Agrotis ipsilon short-duration tethered flights and long-distance migratory flights. A KEGG pathway annotation of differentially expressed genes in profiles 19, 10, and 6. The x-axis represents the enrichment score. The heat map shows changes in the expression of candidate genes significantly enriched in an important pathway. B GSEA analysis of northward-migrating moths shows significant enrichment for oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid degradation pathways; these pathways were downregulated, and FDR q-values are shown. C GSEA analysis of southward-migrating moths shows significant enrichment in oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism pathways; these pathways were downregulated, and FDR q-values are shown. D The proposed model for high energy supply in A. ipsilon during flight. In the initial flight period, carbohydrate and lipid are the main sources of energy. In the mid-term flight period, carbohydrates are gradually depleted and lipid becomes the main source of energy. As the flight distance increases, the rate of energy metabolism decreases, and monsoon winds may help carry the moths to extend the flight time [40, 41]. The regulation of energy metabolism might be associated with the circadian rhythm and JH pathway