Eusocial insects as emerging models for behavioural epigenetics

The combination of accessible next-generation sequencing technologies and advanced genetic tools holds promise to increase the tractability of eusocial insects for research into the genetic and epigenetic regulation of social behaviour.Epigenetic processes — including transcription factor binding, histone post-translational modifications, DNA methylation and regulation by non-coding RNAs — function in concert to stabilize phenotypic responses to transient environmental cues by inducing and maintaining associated gene expression patterns.Genetic and environmental factors have complementary roles in shaping morphology and behaviour in eusocial insects. Epigenetic response thresholds determine an individual's sensitivity to environmental cues and the age at which behavioural transitions occur.Pharmaceutical compounds and RNA interference (RNAi) are currently used to change gene expression in somatic cells to alter caste fate and behaviour in eusocial insects. In addition, the intrinsic features of a select group of eusocial species — including representatives from the bee, ant, wasp and termite lineages — allow the possibility for researchers to carry out sophisticated genetic manipulations.