Ecological Genomic and Adaptation Group under the leadership of Dr. Kang was established in 1995. Using locusts and leafminers as model systems, the group has deciphered the mechanisms underlying locust phase change, insect cold hardiness, and chemical signals mediating tritrophic interactions in complex plant-pest-parasitoid webs. In the past decade, the group has examined the problems of eco-genomic, phenotypic plasticity, and behavior in locust biology and gauged the most important factors at the genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic and epigenetic levels. This group’s success in discovering the molecular mechanisms of insect adaptation to changing environments is remarkable. Their integrative study not only reveals the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the initiation and maintenance of locust phase change, but also greatly extends the field and direction of entomology. Most notably, this group has decoded the whole genome of the migratory locust, which is the biggest genome sequenced in animals to date, enabling locust to become model research system for integrative biology and human diseases. Now, the group has been elucidating the epigenetic mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity, and revealing the interactions between neuron system and behavior in response to inform-chemicals from intraspecific and inter-specific individuals. At the same time, the group is engaged in developing mutant models of locust using genome editing technology for potential applications in agriculture and health.