Insect neuropeptides as agents for pest control: potential and challenges

Abstract

Chemical insecticides play a crucial role in securing global food production but have also caused serious environmental and health problems due to their persistence and low target specificity. In response, insect neuropeptides, which are biological macromolecules that act as key regulators of development, metabolism, reproduction, and behavior, are being explored as potential environmentally friendly alternatives for pest control. This review evaluates the prospects and limitations of using neuropeptides and their synthetic analogues as bioinsecticides. We discuss their mechanisms of action, challenges in increasing biostability, and the risks of affecting nontarget species. Strategies to improve, introduce and increase their applicability usage include peptide modification, targeted delivery systems, and the use of molecular techniques such as RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt neuropeptide signaling pathways with high specificity. Advances in omics technologies and artificial intelligence are accelerating the discovery and design of novel neuropeptide-based agents. Nonetheless, regulatory challenges, high production costs, limited ecological impact data, and the potential for resistance development remain key obstacles. The integration of neuropeptide-based approaches with existing pest control methods, particularly within genetically modified crops and integrated pest management (IPM), could enhance both efficacy and environmental sustainability. Although the direct application of neuropeptides is still limited, targeting neuropeptide-related genes appears to be a promising and practical direction for the future of biological pest control.