A high-quality reference genome and comparative genomics of the widely-farmed banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) identifies selective breeding targets

Authors: ZHANG, SHANGZHE - University Of St Andrews; Duffield, Kristin; FOQUET, BERT - University Of Florida; Ramirez, Jose; SADD, BEN - Illinois State University; SAKALUK, SCOTT - Illinois State University; HUNT, JOHN - Western Sydney University; BAILEY, NATHAN - University Of St Andrews

Submitted to: Ecology and Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2025
Publication Date: 3/16/2025
Citation: Zhang, S., Duffield, K.R., Foquet, B., Ramirez, J.L., Sadd, B.M., Sakaluk, S.K., Hunt, J., Bailey, N.W. 2025. A high-quality reference genome and comparative genomics of the widely-farmed banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) identifies selective breeding targets. Ecology and Evolution. 15:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71134.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71134

Interpretive Summary: Insect farming has gained attention as an alternative and sustainable protein source with a lower environmental impact. Importantly, few genomic resources are publicly available, which limits the potential of breeding efforts to optimize production, such as those implemented in traditional agricultural organisms. Here we present a detailed description of the banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) genome, one of the most commonly farmed insects. Additionally, we performed analyses of the genome to provide additional information on its evolutionary history, discover genes unique to the species, link these genes with agriculturally important traits, and identify potential gene targets for breeding efforts (e.g., to promote growth and health). This provides critical foundational resources for both applied and basic research on insect farming to improve breeding efforts and increase production of large-scale insect farming operations.

Technical Abstract: Insect farming has gained attention as an alternative and sustainable protein source with a lower carbon footprint than traditional livestock. We present a high-quality reference genome for one of the most commonly farmed insects, the banded cricket Gryllodes sigillatus. In addition to its agricultural importance, G. sigillatus is also a model in behavioural and evolutionary ecology research on reproduction and mating systems. We report comparative genomic analyses that clarify the banded cricket’s evolutionary history, identify gene family expansions and contractions unique to this lineage, associate these with agriculturally important traits, and identify targets for genome-assisted breeding efforts. The high-quality G. sigillatus genome assembly plus accompanying comparative genomic analyses serve as foundational resources for both applied and basic research on insect farming and behavioural biology, enabling researchers to pinpoint trait-associated genetic variants, unravel functional pathways governing those phenotypes, and accelerate selective breeding efforts to increase the efficacy of large-scale insect farming operations.