Insect Neuropeptides and their Potential Application for Pest Control

Our current knowledge regarding primary structure, synthesis, release, receptor-binding, structure-activity relationship and mode of action of insect neuropeptides has increased dramatically during the past decade. Thanks to the development of insect neuroendocrinology -in parallel to this- an even increasing need for modern, yet environmentally sound strategies of plant protection has arisen, becoming a driving force for insect physiologists to concentrate their efforts to combat pests more efficiently. The ultimate aim of these researchers is, however, not the total eradication of harmful insects, but rather, selective targeting by using species- or group-specific control strategies which can only be achieved by taking note of recent results in insect physiology, endocrinology, biochemistry and ecology. The rationale behind this approach is, that, since neuropeptides regulate key biological processes, these“special agents”or their synthetic analogues, mimetics, agonists or antagonists may be effective tools in combating insect pests in an environmentally more sound manner than with conventional pesticides. In this review, taking into account possible practical aspects, some representative insect neuropeptides/groups have been selected, which may be important due to their characteristic structure and/or physiological action, and could be used for the design of novel, safe and selective compounds to control pests