Aphids use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract plant sap and transmit viruses, earning them the nickname “mosquitoes of plants.” Even more remarkable is their prolific reproduction through parthenogenetic viviparity, which leads to significant agricultural damage.
Professor Chun-che Chang of the Department of Entomology at National Taiwan University has long devoted himself to the study of aphid reproduction and development, achieving a series of notable breakthroughs. In late May 2025, his research was officially published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America (AESA), where it was also featured on the journal’s cover. At the same time, Insect Molecular Biology (IMB), a journal published by the Royal Entomological Society in the UK, selected a microscopic image of aphids from Professor Chang’s team as its cover image. From May to July 2025, NTU's research accomplishments were thus simultaneously featured on the covers of two leading entomological journals in the US and the UK—marking a new milestone in international academic recognition and a moment of pride for the university.
According to Professor Chang, the AESA cover image represents the eighth time in nearly two decades that his team's work has been selected for the cover of an international journal. The featured study reveals the full developmental process of germ cell formation in aphids, including when these cells—responsible for passing on genetic material—are specified, how reproductive proteins condense through cytoskeletal mechanisms, and how these processes contribute to the formation of ovarian structures. In essence, the team successfully challenged traditional understandings of insect germline development and opened up new perspectives on developmental gene functions in aphids—all under constrained resources.
The IMB-featured research, which has been highlighted as a benchmark cover for five consecutive years (since 2021), is equally pioneering. It was the first to demonstrate that the hunchback gene—previously known for its role in neural development—is continuously expressed in the germ cells of parthenogenetic aphid embryos, uncovering a novel role for this neurodevelopmental gene in asexual insect reproduction.
Reflecting on these eight journal covers, Professor Chang pointed out two key patterns:
- In parthenogenetic aphids, exceptions often become the norm, with an abundance of unusual biological phenomena.
- All the pea aphids featured on the covers were proudly “Made in Taiwan,” showcasing both local innovation and global relevance.
He expressed special thanks to Dr. Gee-Wei Lin, the first author of the current study, and to Mr. Chun-wei Lai for providing the cover image. Professor Chang hopes that insect research in Taiwan will continue to thrive through innovation and deep-rooted development—and ultimately contribute to the advancement of agriculture.