# Topics and Trends in Most Cited Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy Papers, Class of 2026

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/lepidoptera-biology-and-taxonomy/2026*

## What topics and trends defined most-cited Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy research in the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 highlights a shift towards chemical ecology and molecular mechanisms, with novel focuses on sex pheromones and specific genetic markers like the cortex locus. While traditional taxonomy using DNA barcoding and morphology remains foundational, ecological studies on larval host plants and specific families like Sesiidae and Zygaenidae are rapidly expanding.

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Field | Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy |
| Cohort label | Class of 2026 (2024 publications) |
| Papers analyzed | 3,163 |
| Papers ranked | 20 |
| Top topics in ranked papers | Lasiocampidae, Sesiidae, Larval host plants |
| Publication window | Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 |
| Eligibility | Research articles; reviews excluded |
| Citation window | 18 months post-publication |
| 18m citation range | 10–115 |
| Data source | OpenAlex · Retrieved June 2026 |
| License | CC BY 4.0 |

## Rankings

| Rank | Title | Authors | Corresponding authors | Affiliation | Journal | 18m citations | DOI |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| 1 | Comparative genomics reveals the dynamics of chromosome evolution in Lepidoptera | Charlotte J Wright, Lewis Stevens, Alexander Mackintosh, Mara Lawniczak, Mark Blaxter | Charlotte J Wright, Mark Blaxter | Wellcome Sanger Institute, United Kingdom | Nature Ecology & Evolution | 115 | 10.1038/s41559-024-02329-4 |
| 2 | Hybrid speciation driven by multilocus introgression of ecological traits | Neil Rosser, Fernando Seixas, Lucie M Queste, Bruna Cama, Ronald Mori-Pezo, Dmytro Kryvokhyzha, Michaela Nelson, Rachel Waite-Hudson, Matt Goringe, Mauro Costa, Marianne Elias, Clarisse Mendes Eleres de Figueiredo, André Victor Lucci Freitas, Mathieu Joron, Krzysztof Kozak, Gerardo Lamas, Ananda R P Martins, W Owen McMillan, Jonathan Ready, Nicol Rueda-Muñoz, Camilo Salazar, Patricio Salazar, Stefan Schulz, Leila T Shirai, Karina L Silva-Brandão, James Mallet, Kanchon K Dasmahapatra | Neil Rosser, James Mallet | Harvard University, United States | Nature | 56 | 10.1038/s41586-024-07263-w |
| 3 | On the terminology of the genitalia structures of lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini) with some references to Noctuidae | Anton V. Volynkin | Anton V. Volynkin | African Natural History Research Trust, United Kingdom | Ecologica Montenegrina | 46 | 10.37828/em.2024.73.18 |
| 4 | Complete checklist of Burmese (Myanmar) amber taxa 2023 | Andrew J. Ross | Andrew J. Ross | National Museum of Scotland, United Kingdom | Mesozoic | 43 | 10.11646/mesozoic.1.1.4 |
| 5 | A microRNA is the effector gene of a classic evolutionary hotspot locus | Shen Tian, Yoshimasa Asano, Tirtha Das Banerjee, Shinya Komata, Jocelyn Liang Qi Wee, Abigail Lamb, Yehan Wang, Suriya Narayanan Murugesan, Haruhiko Fujiwara, Kumiko Ui-Tei, Patricia J Wittkopp, Antónia Monteiro | Shen Tian, Antónia Monteiro | National University of Singapore, Singapore | Science | 31 | 10.1126/science.adp7899 |
| 6 | Adaptive introgression of a visual preference gene | Matteo Rossi, Alexander E Hausmann, Pepe Alcami, Markus Moest, Rodaria Roussou, Steven M Van Belleghem, Daniel Shane Wright, Chi-Yun Kuo, Daniela Lozano-Urrego, Arif Maulana, Lina Melo-Flórez, Geraldine Rueda-Muñoz, Saoirse McMahon, Mauricio Linares, Christof Osman, W Owen McMillan, Carolina Pardo-Diaz, Camilo Salazar, Richard M Merrill | Matteo Rossi, Richard M. Merrill | LMU, Germany | Science | 28 | 10.1126/science.adj9201 |
| 7 | An annotated catalogue of the Procridinae of the World (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) | Konstantin A. Efetov, Г. М. Тарманн | Konstantin A. Efetov | V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, UA | SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología | 28 | 10.57065/shilap.956 |
| 8 | A long noncoding RNA at the cortex locus controls adaptive coloration in butterflies | Luca Livraghi, Joseph J Hanly, Elizabeth Evans, Charlotte J Wright, Ling S Loh, Anyi Mazo-Vargas, Kiana Kamrava, Alexander Carter, Eva S M van der Heijden, Robert D Reed, Riccardo Papa, Chris D Jiggins, Arnaud Martin | Luca Livraghi, Chris D. Jiggins, Arnaud Martin | The George Washington University, United States | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | 23 | 10.1073/pnas.2403326121 |
| 9 | The ivory lncRNA regulates seasonal color patterns in buckeye butterflies | Richard A Fandino, Noah K Brady, Martik Chatterjee, Jeanne M C McDonald, Luca Livraghi, Karin R L van der Burg, Anyi Mazo-Vargas, Eirene Markenscoff-Papadimitriou, Robert D Reed | Richard A. Fandino, Robert D. Reed | Cornell University, United States | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | 21 | 10.1073/pnas.2403426121 |
| 10 | First comprehensive higher level phylogeny of Zygaenidae (Lepidoptera) including estimated ages of the major lineages and a review of known zygaenid fossils | M. Miric, Konstantin A. Efetov, Г. М. Тарманн, Andrea Chiocchio, Maria Heikkilä, David L. Wagner, Jadranka Rota | Jadranka Rota | Department of Biology Lund University  Lund Sweden, Sweden | Systematic Entomology | 16 | 10.1111/syen.12634 |
| 11 | The actin cytoskeleton plays multiple roles in structural colour formation in butterfly wing scales | Victoria J Lloyd, Stephanie L Burg, Jana Harizanova, Esther Garcia, Olivia Hill, Juan Enciso-Romero, Rory L Cooper, Silja Flenner, Elena Longo, Imke Greving, Nicola J Nadeau, Andrew J Parnell | Victoria J. Lloyd, Nicola J. Nadeau, Andrew J. Parnell | University of Sheffield, United Kingdom | Nature Communications | 14 | 10.1038/s41467-024-48060-3 |
| 12 | Sonitha adetoun – a new species from the Congolian lowland forests (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Gastropachini) | Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Herman L. Friend, Alexey M. Prozorov, Roman V. Yakovlev, Aidas Saldaitis, Tatiana A. Prozorova, Harald Sulak, Julia S. Volkova, Raymond J. Murphy, Edita E. Revay, Günter C. Müller | Olanrewaju Tejuoso | University of Lagos, Nigeria | Ecologica Montenegrina | 13 | 10.37828/em.2024.72.6 |
| 13 | New data on the distribution and biology of Jordanita (Roccia) volgensis (Möschler, 1862) (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae, Procridinae) in the Crimea | Konstantin A. Efetov, O. G. Gorbunov | Konstantin A. Efetov | V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Ukraine | Ecologica Montenegrina | 12 | 10.37828/em.2024.80.15 |
| 14 | First record of the genus Zygaenoprocris Hampson, 1900 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) from Türkiye (Turkey) | Konstantin A. Efetov, Onat Başbay, Özgü Başbay, Feza Can | Konstantin A. Efetov | V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Ukraine | Ecologica Montenegrina | 12 | 10.37828/em.2024.79.17 |
| 15 | W chromosome sequences of two bombycid moths provide an insight into the origin of Fem | Jung Lee, Toshiaki Fujimoto, Katsushi Yamaguchi, Shuji Shigenobu, Ken Sahara, Atsushi Toyoda, Toru Shimada | Jung Lee | Gakushuin University, Japan | Molecular Ecology | 11 | 10.1111/mec.17434 |
| 16 | Descriptions of new Hypotrabala Holland, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae: Lasiocampinae: Selenepherini) in the collections of the African Natural History Research Trust, with notes on allied genera and the description of a new genus | Hitoshi Takano, Gyula M. László | Hitoshi Takano | African Natural History Research Trust, United Kingdom | Ecologica Montenegrina | 11 | 10.37828/em.2024.72.4 |
| 17 | Four new species close to Sonitha libera and Sonitha myoctona from the Congolian lowland forests (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae) | Herman L. Friend, Alexey M. Prozorov, Roman V. Yakovlev, Tatiana A. Prozorova, Aidas Saldaitis, Harald Sulak, Julia S. Volkova, Simon Pierre Lamah, Edita E. Revay, Günter C. Müller | Herman L. Friend | Allen Road 72, United States | Ecologica Montenegrina | 11 | 10.37828/em.2024.72.9 |
| 18 | Two new species for the Afrotropic genus Leptometa: Leptometa danieli and Leptometa gabrielae (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae) | Harald Sulak, Aidas Saldaitis, Roman V. Yakovlev, Julia S. Volkova, Mohamed M. Traore, Günter C. Müller, Edita E. Revay, Tatiana A. Prozorova, Alexey M. Prozorov | Harald Sulak | Museum Witt, Germany | Ecologica Montenegrina | 11 | 10.37828/em.2024.71.5 |
| 19 | A new genus Meyameta for South African “Napta” straminea and description of its sister species from Namibia (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae) | Alexey M. Prozorov, Julia S. Volkova, Aidas Saldaitis, Tatiana A. Prozorova, Harald Sulak, Roman V. Yakovlev, Mohamed M. Traore, Edita E. Revay, Günter C. Müller | Alexey M. Prozorov | University of Sciences, Techniques and Technology of Bamako, Mali | Ecologica Montenegrina | 10 | 10.37828/em.2024.71.16 |
| 20 | A new species of the genus Bembecia Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from the Volga region | O. G. Gorbunov | O. G. Gorbunov | A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russia | Euroasian Entomological Journal | 10 | 10.15298/rusentj.33.3.11 |

## Topic trends

### What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

In the Class of 2026 for Lepidoptera Biology and Taxonomy, the research landscape is prominently defined by studies focusing on specific moth and butterfly families, most notably Lasiocampidae and Lasiocampinae, as well as an emergent emphasis on Sesiidae and Zygaenidae. The integration of advanced molecular techniques is evident through the widespread application of DNA barcoding, which remains a fundamental tool for species identification and phylogenetic analysis. Concurrently, traditional morphological assessments, such as the detailed examination of male genitalia, continue to be a cornerstone of taxonomic classifications.

Ecological and behavioral themes also form a significant portion of the cohort's focus. Researchers are increasingly investigating larval host plants and sex pheromones, highlighting a shift towards understanding the complex ecological interactions and chemical ecology of Lepidoptera. Geographically, there is a notable concentration of studies centered on the Congolian forests, reflecting an ongoing effort to document and conserve biodiversity in this critical Afrotropical region. Together, these topics illustrate a field that seamlessly blends classical taxonomy with modern molecular methods and ecological research to deepen our understanding of lepidopteran diversity and evolution.

*Leading research themes*

### How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

The transition from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026 reveals a dynamic shift in the research priorities within Lepidoptera Biology and Taxonomy. The most striking trend is the rapid emergence of entirely new areas of focus that were virtually absent in the previous year. Studies centered on Zygaenidae, Procridinae, and specific genera like Synanthedon have surged, alongside a novel focus on sex pheromones and genetic markers such as the cortex locus and ivory long noncoding RNA. This indicates a growing interest in the chemical ecology and the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic traits in these specific groups.

Furthermore, there is a substantial proportional increase in research dedicated to Sesiidae and larval host plants, with the latter seeing a five-fold rise in frequency. This underscores a broader shift towards examining the ecological dependencies and evolutionary adaptations of moths and butterflies. While traditional morphological studies and broad regional surveys—such as those focusing on male genitalia and the general Afrotropical region—have seen a slight decline, localized ecological studies, particularly those investigating the Congolian forests, have doubled. Overall, these shifts highlight a field rapidly expanding its methodological toolkit from classical morphology to intricate genetic and chemical analyses.

*How topics shifted year over year*

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/lepidoptera-biology-and-taxonomy/2026. Accessed 2026-10-29.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```