在大规模蝗群的形成和蝗灾发生过程中，群居型飞蝗个体往往表现出较高的发育成熟整齐度，来保证群体活动的同步性。化学通讯在飞蝗维持发育整齐度的作用已有报道，但其具体机制仍待深入阐释。基于前期研究，我们拟综合运用行为学、化学生态学、神经生物学和‘组学’技术，从嗅觉信号-行为-神经-基因等多个层次水平上，通过鉴定信息素关键组分、解析信号感受和编码的神经环路以及明确相关的分子通路，来揭示飞蝗促成熟信息素的嗅觉感知和神经分子机制。本项目的实施将深化对飞蝗聚群和发育同步性的理解，为寻找新的蝗灾治理策略和方法提供理论依据。

During the processes of locust swarming formation, gregarious locusts usually display high developmental synchrony to keep collective activity in large aggregation. Previous studies have suggested that chemical communication plays important roles in developmental synchrony of the locusts. However, the detailed mechanisms remain largely unknown. To reveal the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of maturation-accelerating pheromone in developmental synchrony of female locust adults, we will carry out our experiments involved in multiple levels including signal, behavior, neuron, and gene through using integrative techniques, such as ethology, chemical ecology, neurobiology, ‘-mics’ and so on. We will investigate the olfactory pathway mediating locust developmental synchrony through identifying key compounds of maturation-accelerating pheromones, resolving neural circuitry of olfactory perception and coding, and uncovering related molecular pathways. This project will provide insight into understanding the mechanisms of locust swarming and help us to look for novel control techniques and strategies of locust plagues.