Topics and Trends in Most Cited Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior Papers, Class of 2026

What topics and trends defined most-cited Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior research in the Class of 2026?

The 2026 ranking reveals a field pivoting toward high-resolution neuroscience and targeted ecological interventions. While broad pollinator studies declined, mapping the Drosophila connectome and investigating specific climate change impacts and pest management strategies saw significant growth.

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Updated July 19, 2026

At a glance

Field: Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Cohort label: Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed: 7,201
Papers ranked: 20
Top topics in ranked papers: Connectome, Honey bee, Drosophila, Apis mellifera, Neonicotinoids
Publication window: Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility: Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window: 18 months post-publication
18m citation range: 32–120
Data source: OpenAlex · Retrieved July 2026
License: CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 7,201

12018m citations

Neurotransmitter classification from electron microscopy images at synaptic sites in Drosophila melanogaster

Nils Eckstein et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.03.016

Gregory S.X.E. Jefferis, Jan FunkeHHMI Janelia Research Campus, United States

electron microscopyConnectomeNeurotransmitter identityartificial neural networksDrosophila melanogasteracetylcholineglutamateGABAserotonindopamineoctopaminepresynapse ultrastructuredevelopmental lineagefast-acting transmittersultrastructural features

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#2 of 7,201

8018m citations

The global atlas of edible insects: analysis of diversity and commonality contributing to food systems and sustainability

Evanson R Omuse et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-55603-7

Saliou NiassyInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Kenya

edible insectsglobal food system sustainabilityinsect species diversityenvironmental footprint of insect productionfood conversion ratioGlobal Biodiversity Information FacilityiNaturalistCopernicus Land ServiceFAOSTATgeographical distribution of edible insectsland cover correlationentomophagy cultural practicesnutritional securityMexico edible insect diversityThailand edible insect consumptionIndia edible insect speciesalternative protein sourcesclimate change and agricultureinsect farmingcross-regional consumption patterns

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#3 of 7,201

7618m citations

Connectomic reconstruction of a female Drosophila ventral nerve cord

Anthony Azevedo, Ellen Lesser, Jasper S Phelps, Brandon Mark et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07389-x

Wei-Chung Allen LeeUniversity of Washington, United States

ConnectomeDrosophila melanogasterventral nerve cordfemale nervous systemelectron microscopyneuronal circuit reconstructionneural wiring diagrammotor circuitssensory circuitscentral nervous systemsegmental gangliadescending neuronsascending neuronsmotor neuronsinterneuronsserial section electron microscopycircuit mappingneuronal morphology

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#4 of 7,201

6318m citations

A Drosophila computational brain model reveals sensorimotor processing

Philip K Shiu et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07763-9

Philip K. ShiuUniversity of California, Berkeley, United States

Drosophila melanogaster central brain connectomeleaky integrate-and-fire computational modelConnectomeNeurotransmitter identitysugar-sensing gustatory neuronswater-sensing gustatory neuronsfeeding initiationmotor neuron firingoptogenetic activationaversive taste processingappetitive taste processingmechanosensory circuitsantennal grooming circuitmechanosensory neuronsSensorimotor integrationgrooming behaviourForaging behaviortaste modalities interactioncircuit-level predictions

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#5 of 7,201

4718m citations

Life-history stage determines the diet of ectoparasitic mites on their honey bee hosts

Bin Han, Jiangli Wu, Qiaohong Wei et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-44915-x

Olav Rueppell, Shufa XuChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Varroa destructorTropilaelaps mercedesaeectoparasitic miteshoney bee hostslife-history stage specializationdispersal stagereproductive stagefat body feedinghemolymph feedingadult bee hostshoney bee pupaebiostainingproteomic comparisonwound analysisMetabolomic profilingamino acid metabolismprotein synthesislipid metabolismwithin-host dietary specializationParasite-host interactions

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#6 of 7,201

4318m citations

Genomic data provide insights into the classification of extant termites

Simon Hellemans et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-51028-y

Simon Hellemans, Thomas BourguignonOkinawa Institute of Science & Technology Graduate University, Japan

NeoisopteraTermitidaeultraconserved elementsmulti-species coalescenceHeterotermitidaePsammotermitidaeTermitogetonidaeCrepititermitinaeCylindrotermitinaeForficulitermitinaeNeocapritermitinaeProtohamitermitinaePromirotermitinaeAmitermitinaeMicrocerotermitinaeMirocapritermitinaerogue locirogue taxaconcatenated matricesmonophyletic lineages

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#7 of 7,201

4118m citations

Bumblebees socially learn behaviour too complex to innovate alone

Alice D Bridges et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07126-4

Alice Bridges, Lars ChıttkaQueen Mary University of London, United Kingdom

Bumble beeSocial learningCumulative culturePuzzle-box taskDemonstrator beesobserver beesindividual learning limitationunrewarded first steptemporary reward removalinvertebrate culturebehavioral complexity thresholdtrial and error learningfood reward acquisitionre-innovation failureextended exposure experimentnaive bees

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#8 of 7,201

4118m citations

miR-276 and miR-182013-5p modulate insect metamorphosis and reproduction via dually regulating juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase

Jiasheng Song, Wanwan Li et al.Communications Biology202410.1038/s42003-024-07285-0

Shutang ZhouHenan University, China

miR-276miR-182013-5pJuvenile hormone acid methyltransferasejuvenile hormone biosynthesisJH titersinsect metamorphosismigratory locustprecocious nymphal ecdysisVitellogenesismiRNA dual regulationnymphal developmentVg expressionrate-limiting enzymemiRNA-mRNA binding dynamics

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#9 of 7,201

4018m citations

Thermal infrared directs host-seeking behaviour in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Avinash Chandel, Nicolas A DeBeaubien et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07848-5

Craig MontellUniversity of California, Santa Barbara, United States

Aedes aegyptithermal infrared radiationhost-seeking behaviorTRPA1thermosensory neuronsopsinsCO2 sensingorganic odoursvisual cuesmid-range navigationradiant energy detectionMultisensory integrationdengue virus vectoryellow fever virus vectorZika virus vectorheat-activated ion channelmosquito neurophysiology

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#10 of 7,201

3918m citations

Pollen nutrition structures bee and plant community interactions

Anthony D Vaudo et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2317228120

Anthony D. VaudoUniversity of Nevada, United States

pollen macronutrient contentprotein and lipid contentplant-pollinator mutualismsbee visitor communitiesco-flowering plant speciesfloral choiceGreat Basin/Eastern Sierra regionpollen-collecting beesinteraction network structurenutritional nichesfloral morphologyPhylogenetic effectsSubgeneraplant generanutritional diversityhabitat restorationpollination community ecologycomplementary pollen nutrition

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#11 of 7,201

3918m citations

Impact of pesticide use on wild bee distributions across the United States

Laura Melissa Guzman et al.Nature Sustainability202410.1038/s41893-024-01413-8

Laura Melissa GuzmanSimon Fraser University, Canada

Wild beeNeonicotinoidspyrethroidsSpecies distribution modelingmuseum recordscommunity science dataLand usePollination servicesIntegrated Pest ManagementPollinator declineAgricultural landscapescontinental-scale analysis1995-2015 temporal range1,081 bee species datasetsite occupancy probability

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#12 of 7,201

3718m citations

Impact of pesticides on non-target invertebrates in agricultural ecosystems

Osama Elhamalawy et al.Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology202410.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105974

Fawzy EissaAl-Azhar University, Egypt

pesticidesNon-target organismsAgricultural landscapes

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#13 of 7,201

3718m citations

Unveiling lignocellulolytic potential: a genomic exploration of bacterial lineages within the termite gut

João Felipe M Salgado et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01917-7

Andreas BruneMax Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Germany

metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs)termite gut microbiotalower termites (LT)higher termites (HT)cellulolytic flagellateslignocellulolytic enzymesBacteroidotaSpirochaetotaFibrobacterotacellodextrinsexoglucanases and endoglucanaseshemicellulolytic enzymesxylan degradationoxygen-dependent cellulose oxidationlignin modificationPseudomonadotaActinomycetotahindgut wall bacteriamicrooxic peripherysymbiotic lignocellulose digestion

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#14 of 7,201

3618m citations

Diverting organic waste from landfills via insect biomanufacturing using engineered black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens)

Kate Tepper et al.Communications Biology202410.1038/s42003-024-06516-8

Maciej MaselkoMacquarie University, Australia

black soldier flyHermetia illucensInsect biomanufacturingOrganic waste valorizationcircular economysynthetic biologyWaste-to-product conversionanimal feed ingredientsfertiliser productionindustrial enzymeshigh-value biomoleculeslipid productionorganic waste feedstocksgenetic engineering of insects

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#15 of 7,201

3518m citations

Wild insects and honey bees are equally important to crop yields in a global analysis

James R. Reilly et al.Global Ecology and Biogeography202410.1111/geb.13843

James R. ReillyRutgers University, United States

crop pollinationHoney beewild insectspollinator visitation ratesPollinator diversityCrop yieldsmixed-effects modelsflower visitationmanaged pollinatorswild pollinatorspollinator conservationglobal crop pollination databasepollinator contribution equivalenceyield per visitmulti-species pollinationpollinator-dependent crops

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#16 of 7,201

3418m citations

Disruption of an ant-plant mutualism shapes interactions between lions and their primary prey

Douglas N Kamaru et al.Science202410.1126/science.adg1464

Jacob R. GoheenUniversity of Wyoming, United States

Pheidole megacephalabig-headed ant invasionant-plant mutualism disruptionCrematogaster spp.Vachellia drepanolobiumelephant browsingLoxodonta africanalandscape visibilityPanthera leolion hunting successEquus quaggapredator-prey dynamicsprey-switchingSyncerus cafferanimal trackingbiophysical structuretrophic cascade

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#17 of 7,201

3418m citations

A modular circuit coordinates the diversification of courtship strategies

Rory T Coleman et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-08028-1

Vanessa RutaThe Rockefeller University, United States

Mate recognitionDrosophila yakubafemale pheromone productionmale pheromone perception7-tricosenesexually monomorphic pheromonesensory neuronsP1 neuronscourtship behaviorperipheral circuit adaptationscentral circuit adaptationsmodular circuit organizationsensory innovationmale arousalchemosensory signaturespheromone circuitsreproductive boundaries

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#18 of 7,201

3318m citations

The coevolution of fungus-ant agriculture

Ted R Schultz et al.Science202410.1126/science.adn7179

Ted R. SchultzNational Museum of Natural History, United States

fungus-farming antsfungal cultivar phylogenyTime-calibrated phylogenyphylogenomic probesend-Cretaceous asteroid impactfungal domesticationobligate mutualismseasonally dry habitatsSouth America biogeographycoevolutionary transitionsant-fungus agriculture origincultivar population isolationphotosynthesis interruptionmass extinction eventswet forest-dwelling funginonhuman agriculture

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#19 of 7,201

3318m citations

Insecticides, more than herbicides, land use, and climate, are associated with declines in butterfly species richness and abundance in the American Midwest

Braeden Van Deynze et al.PLoS ONE202410.1371/journal.pone.0304319

Braeden Van DeynzeWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife, United States

butterfly species richnessbutterfly abundanceInsecticideNeonicotinoidsherbicidesLand useclimate changemonarch butterflyUS MidwestPesticide effectsinsect declinescommunity-wide declineshabitat lossbutterfly surveyslarge-scale study81 counties

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#20 of 7,201

3218m citations

Honey bee stressor networks are complex and dependent on crop and region

Sarah K French et al.Current Biology202410.1016/j.cub.2024.03.039

Amro ZayedYork University, Canada

Honey beestressor networkscrop dependenceregional variationpollinator healthagricultural contextMulti-stressor interactionscrop-specific stressorsgeographic factors

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Topic trends

Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 for Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior is heavily defined by high-resolution neurobiology and critical agricultural challenges. The 'Connectome' emerges as a leading topic, appearing in 12% of the top papers as massive structural mappings of the Drosophila brain approach completion. Studies involving 'Honey bee' and 'Apis mellifera' remain central, though their relative frequency suggests a broadening of focus toward 'Neonicotinoids' and 'Integrated Pest Management', each capturing 8% of the top literature. Advanced 'Species distribution modeling' and tracking of 'Varroa destructor' underscore a strong focus on ecological mapping and pathogen management in changing environments.

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Between the Class of 2025 and 2026, the field experienced a notable shift from broad pollinator ecology toward targeted neurobiology and specific environmental stressors. 'Connectome' and 'descending neurons' saw remarkable two- to three-fold increases in frequency, reflecting the maturation of insect brain-mapping initiatives. Similarly, interest surged in 'climate change impacts on pollinators' and 'gene silencing', highlighting a pivot toward mechanistic stress responses and novel intervention strategies. Conversely, general terms like 'Honey bee', 'Bumble bee', and 'Wild bee' experienced sharp declines, dropping by up to 50% as research questions became more granular and focused on specific pathways or localized ecological modeling.

Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodology GitHub bioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/insect-and-arachnid-ecology-and-behavior/2026. Accessed 2026-07-19.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459