Molecular Diversity of Gustatory Receptors in Insects: From Structure to Ecological Adaptation

Gustatory receptors (GRs) are a divergent family of chemoreceptors in insects. By detecting ligands spanning from nutrients to aversive compounds, GRs regulate essential behaviors including feeding, mating, and habitat selection. This multifunctionality makes GRs an indispensable model for studying the sensory-driven evolution paradigm and offers significant translational potential for developing precision targeted attractants or receptor-based pest control strategies. Leveraging insights from phylogenomics, structural biology, and neuroecology, this review systematically examines the molecular diversity and ecological adaptation mechanisms of insect GRs, with the dual objectives of illuminating their evolutionary trajectories and proposing sustainable solutions to address contemporary ecological and agricultural challenges.