Transposable elements and evolution of insects

Transposable elements are dispersed repeat sequences scattered throughout the genome that are capable to move from one locus to another and replicate themselves in a given genome. These mutagens impact the structure and function of the genome they occupy, but as major components of genomes they have been the principle driving force for their role in evolution with both beneficial as well as negative impacts on the host fitness. The transposable elements provide the potential conditions for the emergence of new genes, modify gene expression, and adaptation to new environmental challenges. These elements have been domesticated and put to work in laboratories for their benefits such as manipulation of Apis mellifera and Bombyx mori breeding stocks similar to the uses of transgenic technology in plant and livestock breeding programs, also for applications in replacing insect pest populations with genetically engineered non pest strain populations.