Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Insects Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications

Print Special Issue Flyer
Editor
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Molecular Biology and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 8142

Share This Special Issue

Editor

Dr. Lin Jin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: insect physiology; biochemistry; molecular biology; genomics; molecular toxicology; insect behavior
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Food shortages caused by pests and the spread of insect-borne human diseases remain urgent global challenges. Over the course of evolution, insects have developed complex adaptations to their environments, reflected in their bioinformatic profiles and resulting in persistent, recurring damage to crops and human health. In recent decades, advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies and decreasing sequencing costs have greatly expanded our knowledge of the genomic and molecular features of many agriculturally and medically important insects. However, the mechanisms underlying insect adaptability and population success are still not fully understood. Moreover, the limited availability of such information continues to hinder the development and effective implementation of biotechnological approaches, including pest control and natural-enemy utilization.

This Special Issue welcomes recent discoveries in bioinformatics and biotechnology that advance our understanding of insect adaptability and contribute to improved pest management strategies.

Dr. Lin Jin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

insect
adaptability
bioinformatics
molecular biology
pest management
biotechnology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 8040 KB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Feeding on Ecologically Distinct Dietary Plants Is Associated with Gut-Sample Bacterial and Archaeal Profiles in Adult Anoplophora glabripennis

by Hanshuo Liu, Ruohan Qi, Yi Tian, Lili Ren and Youqing Luo

Insects 2026, 17(8), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17080756 - 23 Jul 2026

Viewed by 289

Abstract

Ecological control studies of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) distinguish susceptible, resistant, and dead-end trap trees as functionally different plant categories. We used shotgun metagenomics to examine bacterial and archaeal profiles detected in adult gut samples after 72 h exposure to three dietary plants or prolonged water-only starvation. The study included 24 metagenomes, with three biological replicates per DietGroup × SexGroup combination. No time-zero gut samples were available, so the observed patterns remain superimposed on the beetles’ field history. The retained catalogue contained 152,895 bacterial genes and 9 archaeal genes. The original observed-richness difference was strongly correlated with host-depleted read depth and was not supported after common-depth rarefaction. Genus-level Bray–Curtis analysis detected a DietGroup × SexGroup interaction that persisted after depth adjustment and exclusion of low-yield samples. This interaction was exploratory because of the small within-cell sample size. Raw Bray–Curtis analysis of KEGG Orthology profiles showed a DietGroup association, but this association was not robust to direct-depth adjustment or Aitchison analysis. CAZy profiles were descriptive and showed no significant DietGroup effect. These results indicate short-term, depth-sensitive associations between dietary treatment and gut-sample bacterial and archaeal profiles. They do not establish resident status, microbial activity, or a physiological mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3956 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Olfactory Recognition of Elaeagnus angustifolia Volatiles in Anoplophora glabripennis Through Antennal Transcriptome Analysis and Molecular Characterization of Classic OBPs

by Lubing Wang, Chunchun Li, Suqin Shang, Zhuandi Pei, Youssef Dewer and Lixiang Wang

Insects 2026, 17(7), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17070666 - 25 Jun 2026

Viewed by 324

Abstract

Anoplophora glabripennis is a destructive forest pest. Elaeagnus angustifolia attracts A. glabripennis for feeding and oviposition, but its gum encapsulates and kills the eggs, functioning as a dead-end trap tree. However, the olfactory mechanisms by which A. glabripennis recognizes E. angustifolia volatiles remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the antennal transcriptome of female adult A. glabripennis exposed to E. angustifolia volatiles. Ten OBP genes were significantly up-regulated in response to the volatiles, including six Classic OBPs and four Minus-C OBPs (log₂ fold changes: 1.02–3.01). qRT-PCR showed AglaOBP1/2/3 were highly and specifically expressed in the antennae, suggesting key olfactory roles. Static molecular docking showed that all three OBPs bound 22 E. angustifolia volatiles, each displaying the highest affinity for (+)-Longifolene, with AglaOBP1 exhibiting the strongest binding. Nevertheless, 200 ns MD simulations revealed a shift: the AglaOBP3–(+)-Longifolene complex displayed the greatest structural stability, not AglaOBP1. MM/PBSA corrected the initial docking screen and confirmed that AglaOBP3 had the strongest thermodynamic binding affinity for (+)-Longifolene (ΔG_bind = −30.94 ± 2.57 kcal·mol⁻¹). This study provides novel molecular insights into the olfactory recognition of E. angustifolia volatiles in A. glabripennis, laying a foundation for future functional validation and sustainable pest management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5482 KB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Composition and Ligand Binding Characteristics of Native Ionotropic GABA Receptors in Rice Stem Borer, Chilo suppressalis

by Enling Zhan, Jie Luo, Yuqing Zhang, Junyan Wang, Shuang Ni and Chunqing Zhao

Insects 2026, 17(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17050477 - 6 May 2026

Viewed by 717

Abstract

The ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (iGABAR) is an important insecticidal molecular target. However, the native iGABARs composition remains unknown in insect. Here, CsRdl1, truncated transcripts of CsRdl2 and CsLcch3 were obtained in the rice stem borer (RSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker. The N-terminal-truncated CsRDL2 (∆N-CsRDL2) and N-terminal-truncated CsLCCH3 (∆N-CsLCCH3) were deduced and studied in vivo, and desmethyl-broflanilide (DMBF) binding characteristics were simulated in silico. Genome and transcriptome analyses revealed truncated transcripts of CsRdl2 and CsLcch3 encoded 48 kDa of ∆N-CsRDL2 and 37 kDa of ∆N-CsLCCH3, respectively. The CsRDL1, CsRDL2 and CsLCCH3 were detected respectively from native iGABARs at molecular weights (Mws) ≥ 440 kDa in BN-PAGE. In BN/SDS-PAGE, three CsRDL1 bands (~54, ~55 and ~70 kDa), one CsRDL2 band (~48 kDa) and one CsLCCH3 band (~37 kDa) were identified in native iGABARs at Mws ≥ 669 kDa, and corresponded to CsRDL1ad, CsRDL1bd, post-translationally modified CsRDL1, ∆N-CsRDL2 and ∆N-CsLCCH3, respectively. Immunofluorescence confirmed these three subunits distributed in the same region of adult heads. Finally, DMBF displayed higher binding affinities for heteromeric iGABARs than for homomeric CsRDL1 iGABAR in silico. These findings confirm that ∆N-CsRDL2 and ∆N-CsLCCH3 in native iGABARs might support the rational design of novel insecticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1273 KB

Open AccessArticle

Logistics-Mediated Artificial Sympatry and Its Implications for Molecular Detection of Hylurgus ligniperda

by Jijing Han, Jiaying Wang, Junxia Cui, Li Liu, Xianfeng Chen, Yuhao Cao, Jiaojiao Chen and Xuemei Song

Insects 2026, 17(4), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17040408 - 9 Apr 2026

Viewed by 737

Abstract

International timber trade has accelerated the global spread of the invasive red-haired pine bark beetle H. ligniperda, posing persistent challenges to phytosanitary inspection and border biosecurity. Rapid isothermal amplification assays are increasingly deployed in frontline quarantine settings to support timely regulatory decisions. However, their performance under the heterogeneous biological backgrounds typical of traded timber remains insufficiently evaluated, particularly with respect to the practical implications of low-level false-positive signals. We re-evaluated a previously reported isothermal assay for H. ligniperda using conditions that simulate timber transport and routine customs workflows. Fifty non-target arthropod species (predominantly insects), selected from quarantine interception records, were included to represent taxa likely to co-occur in operational contexts. Material from Lema decempunctata consistently generated weak but reproducible amplification signals across replicates. Sanger sequencing excluded contamination, confirming low-level non-target amplification in complex biological matrices. Although the signals were faint, ambiguous results in quarantine settings may trigger shipment detention, confirmatory laboratory testing, or temporary trade restrictions, thereby increasing inspection workload, delaying clearance, and generating avoidable compliance costs. These findings indicate that trade-mediated species assemblages can compromise assay performance beyond expectations derived from conventional taxonomy-based specificity testing. To reduce interpretive uncertainty and associated regulatory burden, we propose a tiered diagnostic workflow combining rapid on-site isothermal screening with specificity-oriented SYBR Green qPCR confirmation. This strategy enhances diagnostic reliability while preserving operational efficiency in applied biosecurity surveillance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1375 KB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Identification of Palmistichus elaeisis, Tetrastichus howardi, Trichospilus diatraeae and Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)—Important Biocontrol Agents

by Izabella de Lima Palombo, Fabricio Fagundes Pereira, André Pessoa da Costa, Patrik Luiz Pastori, Alex Polatto Carvalho, Andrea Renata da Silva Romero, André Vieira do Nascimento, Ana Maria Perez Obrien, Patricia Iana Schmidt, Carlos Reinier Garcia Cardoso and Marcelo Teixeira Tavares

Insects 2026, 17(4), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17040395 - 5 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1349

Abstract

Parasitoid wasps play a fundamental role in the biological control of pests. However, their morphological identification may be limited due to their small size and the high morphological similarity between species. Our objective was to identify specific genomic variants of the target species Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle, 1993, Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff, 1893), Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu, 1942, and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879, (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) by whole-genomic sequencing. Parasitoids were collected from their hosts and established in the laboratory after adult emergence. A sample of each parasitoid was sent to the Departamento de Ciências Biológicas at Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) and “Oscar Monte” Entomophagous Insect Collection for morphological identification. Subsequently, samples composed of 20 individuals were preserved in absolute ethanol for DNA extraction. The DNA was extracted, quantified and sequenced on the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform. Bioinformatic tools were used for quality control, detection of specific genomic variants, principal component analysis (PCA), and support vector machine (SVM). Genomic sequencing generated high-quality data for the analyzed parasitoids, allowing the identification of four specific variants for P. elaeisis, two for Te. howardi, four for Ts. diatraeae and five for Tg. pretiosum. These results provide a precise molecular tool for distinguishing parasitoids used in biological control programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1580 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Oral Secretion Proteins in Ostrinia furnacalis by Transcriptome and LC-MS/MS Analyses

by Xinyan Sun, Wei Hu, Dan Wang, Meichen Zhu, Cuiping Xin, Wenbo Yang, Huimin Li and Yanyong Cao

Insects 2026, 17(4), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17040357 - 24 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1012

Abstract

Oral secretions (OS) of the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) play pivotal roles in its interactions with host plants. To systematically characterize the composition and potential functions of OS, 245 functionally annotated proteins from O. furnacalis reared on artificial diet were identified using an integrated approach combining transcriptomics and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bioinformatics analyses were further performed to predict 16 effector proteins. Subsequent tissue-specific expression assays were conducted to quantify the transcriptional levels of genes encoding these effector proteins in salivary glands, guts, and residual tissues. Among these genes, OfGDH2, OfPero2, OfPero3, and OfCBP were highly expressed in salivary glands, OfGDH3, OfRGD, OfEST1, OfEST2, OfMET, and Offerrin showed high expression in guts, while OfSP34 was abundantly expressed in both salivary glands and guts. This study represents the first systematic characterization of the molecular profile of O. furnacalis OS, thereby laying a solid foundation for future investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying the host adaptation of this pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 2942 KB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Characterization of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress-Associated BiP, IRE1, and XBP1 Genes in Diaphorina citri and Their Roles During Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Infection

by Zhiyou Xuan, Xinying Yang, Tao Peng, Yingzhe Yuan, Caifu Liu, Yali Wang, Aijun Huang, Long Yi, Xuefeng Wang, Mengji Cao and Changyong Zhou

Insects 2026, 17(3), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17030260 - 28 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1068

Abstract

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, or unfolded protein response (UPR), is crucial for cellular homeostasis and host defense. Its role in insect vectors of plant pathogens remains poorly understood. This study conducted a comprehensive molecular characterization of three core UPR genes—BiP, IRE1, and XBP1—in Diaphorina citri, the insect vector of the citrus huanglongbing pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Expression profiling showed distinct developmental and tissue-specific patterns for these genes. The IRE1-mediated unconventional splicing of XBP1 mRNA was identified in D. citri and predicted across diverse insect pests. A semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay was established to detect this splicing event for monitoring ER stress. Time-course analysis of CLas-infected D. citri revealed an early activation (upregulation of BiP, IRE1, XBP1 transcripts, and increased XBP1 splicing) followed by later suppression of the UPR. Functional studies demonstrated that induction of ER stress with thapsigargin increased CLas titer. RNAi-mediated silencing showed that IRE1 silencing increased CLas proliferation, whereas XBP1 silencing reduced it. These findings provide foundational insights into the ER stress pathway in D. citri and demonstrate that the IRE1-XBP1 branch of the UPR plays a critical role in modulating CLas infection dynamics within its insect vector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4386 KB

Open AccessArticle

Developmental and Reproductive Impacts of Arsenophonus Symbiont on the Population of Nilaparvata lugens

by Qian-Qian Li, Salah M. Mohamed, Yi-Le Hu, Yong-Mao Lian, Adams Ibrahim, Xiang-Zhen Zhu, Feng Chen and Sheng Lin

Insects 2026, 17(2), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17020222 - 20 Feb 2026

Viewed by 953

Abstract

The Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) (Hemiptera: Delphinidae), is one of the most destructive pests of rice. Its reproductive and developmental traits are influenced by various environmental and biological factors including endosymbiotic microorganisms. Arsenophonus, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium of insects, can affect host fitness and metabolic processes. This study investigates the role of Arsenophonus in modulating the developmental and reproductive traits of N. lugens fed on transgenic cry30Fa1 rice (KF30-14) and its parent variety Minghui 86 (MH86). Life table analysis revealed that Arsenophonus infection (Ars⁺) increased the development time and reduced the reproductive capacity of N. lugens, especially those feeding on KF30-14. The first-instar nymphs in MH86 Ars⁺ (infected) exhibited slower development compared to MH86 Ars⁻ (uninfected). Similarly, the third and fourth-instar nymphs in KF30-14 Ars⁺ exhibited prolonged development time compared to KF30-14 Ars⁻. In addition, KF30-14 Ars⁺ females had significantly reduced reproductive capacity, smaller ovarian tubules and lower relative expression levels of reproduction-related genes including Trehalose transporter (Tret), Vitellogenin (Vg) and Cytochrome P450 hydroxylase (cyp314a1), while Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) expression was upregulated. RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in lipid, amino acid, and vitamin metabolisms, with Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase implicated as a key regulator of lipid metabolism and reproductive fitness. These results highlight the complex interactions between endosymbionts, host plants and pest biology, offering a solid foundation for sustainable approaches to control N. lugens in rice production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 4335 KB

Open AccessReview

Research Advances in Pheromone Biosynthesis Regulation via the PBAN Signaling Pathway in Insects

by Yu Zhang, Zhitao Liu, Yan Yi, Hong Chen, Xia Wu, Guizhi Xu, Jingjun Yang and Zhiqiang Gao

Insects 2026, 17(5), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17050463 - 30 Apr 2026

Viewed by 871

Abstract

Nowadays, the application of insect sex pheromones in pest control technology has reached a relatively advanced technological maturity stage. However, the traditional research and development of sex pheromones requires a “one pest, one strategy” approach, which has drawbacks such as being time-consuming and focused on a single control target. The insect sex pheromone synthesis pathway involves multiple molecular components that work together to promote the synthesis and release of sex pheromone from the pheromone gland. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying pheromone biosynthesis offers the potential to uncover universal strategies for pheromone development, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of pest management. This study arranged knowledge of the upstream regulatory pathways and summarized the structure and function of the molecular components involved. We also investigated the divergence of neuropeptides and their receptors that regulate pheromone biosynthesis among different insect species from an evolutionary perspective. Future research should integrate multi-omics, bioinformatics, structural biology, and artificial intelligence technologies to elucidate the synthesis and regulatory processes of insect semiochemicals, develop specific dsRNA and small molecule inhibitors, and accelerate the transformation and application of related molecular targets into highly effective and green pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Insect Molecular Biology: From Bioinformatics to Pest Management Applications

Share This Special Issue

Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI