Topics and Trends in Most Cited Insect and Pesticide Research Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Insect and Pesticide Research research in the Class of 2026?

Research in insect and pesticide science is rapidly shifting from broad residue monitoring toward mechanistic toxicology and molecular pest control. While neonicotinoids and honey bee health remain core concerns, the Class of 2026 highlights rapid growth in RNA interference, sublethal stress modeling, and climate-driven pollinator dynamics alongside declining interest in simple residue detection.

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Updated July 22, 2026

At a glance

Field
Insect and Pesticide Research
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
10,171
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Neonicotinoid insecticides, honey bees, insecticide resistance, sublethal effects, imidacloprid
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
30–98
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 10,171
9818m citations

Pervasive sublethal effects of agrochemicals on insects at environmentally relevant concentrations

Lautaro Gandara et al.Science202410.1126/science.ado0251

Lautaro Gándara, Justin CrockerEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany

Sublethal effectsagrochemical library screening1024 molecule chemical libraryDrosophila melanogasterlarval behavior assayslong-term survivabilityphosphoproteome changesDevelopmental toxicityReproductive toxicitytemperature-pesticide interactionmosquitoesbutterfliesinsecticidesherbicidesFungicidesplant growth inhibitorsenvironmentally relevant concentrationsinsect biomass declinecross-species behavioral changespopulation-level impacts
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#2 of 10,171
8418m citations

Structural basis for odorant recognition of the insect odorant receptor OR-Orco heterocomplex

Yidong Wang et al.Science202410.1126/science.adn6881

Yidong Wang, Liang Qiu, Bing Wang, Bo WangChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

odorant receptorsOR-Orco heterocomplexOrcoligand-gated ion channelsAp OR5Acyrthosiphon pisumgeranyl acetateodorant recognitionChannel gatingcryo-EM structureasymmetrical pore openingHelix S7bion influxinsecticidesrepellentsPest management
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#3 of 10,171
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 mercedesaehoney bee hostslife-history stage specializationdispersal stagereproductive stagefat body feedinghemolymph feedingadult bee hostshoney bee pupaebiostainingproteomic comparisonwound analysismetabolomic profilingamino acid metabolismprotein synthesislipid metabolismwithin-host dietary specializationhost-parasite life history
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#4 of 10,171
4718m citations

From field to table: Ensuring food safety by reducing pesticide residues in food

Salman Munir et al.The Science of The Total Environment202410.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171382

Muhammad Zia Ul HaqUniversity of Agriculture, Pakistan

Pesticide residuesfood safetyPesticide removalAgricultural practicespost-harvest treatmentmaximum residue limitsfood supply chaincontamination controlwashing and processing methodsregulatory complianceconsumer exposurerisk assessment
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#5 of 10,171
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 beesNeonicotinoid insecticidespyrethroidsOccupancy modelingmuseum recordsCitizen scienceLand use changePollination servicesintegrative pest managementbee population declinesAgricultural landscapescontinental-scale analysis1995-2015 temporal range1,081 bee species datasetsite occupancy probability
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#6 of 10,171
3918m citations

Gut bacteria of lepidopteran herbivores facilitate digestion of plant toxins

Nan Zhang et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2412165121

Yongqi ShaoZhejiang University, China

Lepidopteragut microbiotaPlant secondary metabolites1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ)Bombyx moriSpodoptera exiguaPseudomonas fulva ZJU1detoxificationherbivore-plant interactionsBiodegradationilvB geneCRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesisbacterial inoculationmulberry defensive compoundsHost-microbe interactionsspecialist vs nonspecialist herbivorestranscriptomic analysisDNJ degradation pathway
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#7 of 10,171
3818m citations

Pesticide risk assessment in European agriculture: Distribution patterns, ban-substitution effects and regulatory implications

Luisa Gensch et al.Environmental Pollution202410.1016/j.envpol.2024.123836

Luisa GenschMax Planck Institute for Meteorology, Germany

Pesticide load indicatorNon-target organismschlorpyrifosPesticide applicationban-substitution effectsrisk indicatorvegetable productionActive substancesapplication ratesendpoint risksEuropean agricultureenvironmental risk assessmentspatial distribution patternsrisk mitigation strategiesRegulatory evaluation
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#9 of 10,171
3518m citations

Thiadiazole/Thiadiazine Derivatives as Insecticidal Agent: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Assessment of 1,3,4-(Thiadiazine/Thiadiazole)-Benzenesulfonamide Derivatives as IGRs Analogues against <i>Spodoptera littoralis</i>

Ahmed M El-Saghier et al.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry202410.1021/acs.jafc.3c09703

Ahmed M. M. El‐Saghier, Mohamed A. GadSohag University, Egypt

1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives1,3,4-thiadiazine derivativesbenzenesulfonamide derivativessulfamoyl moiety2-hydrazinyl-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-2-thioxoacetamideSpodoptera littoralisinsect growth regulators (IGRs)triethylorthoformatephenacyl chlorideMolecular docking2CH5 receptordensity functional theory (DFT)HOMO-LUMO energy gapbuprofezinLC50Ligand binding2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinonechloroanil
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#10 of 10,171
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 beeswild insectsPollinator visitationPollinator diversityCrop yieldmixed-effects modelsmanaged pollinatorswild pollinatorspollinator conservationglobal crop pollination databasepollinator contribution equivalenceyield per visitmulti-species pollinationpollinator-dependent crops
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#11 of 10,171
3418m citations

Nanoparticle LDH enhances RNAi efficiency of dsRNA in piercing-sucking pests by promoting dsRNA stability and transport in plants

Xiaoqin Cheng et al.Journal of Nanobiotechnology202410.1186/s12951-024-02819-4

Weiwei Zheng, Hongyu ZhangHuazhong Agricultural University, China

Layered double hydroxideRNA interferenceDouble-stranded RNApiercing-sucking pestsdsRNA stabilitydsRNA transport in plantsplant-mediated RNAidsRNA deliveryPest managementRNA interference enhancementnanocarrierdsRNA degradation protectionphloem transportinsect gene silencing
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#12 of 10,171
3418m citations

Pyridine Derivatives as Insecticides. Part 5. New Thieno[2,3-<i>b</i>]pyridines and Pyrazolo[3,4-<i>b</i>]pyridines Containing Mainly Ethyl Nicotinate Scaffold and Their Insecticidal Activity toward <i>Aphis gossypii</i> (Glover,1887)

Suzan Abuelhassan et al.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry202410.1021/acs.jafc.4c03112

Etify A. BakhiteAssiut University, Egypt

ethyl nicotinate scaffoldthieno[2,3-b]pyridinespyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridinesethyl 5-cyano-1,6-dihydro-2-methyl-4-(2′-thienyl)-6-thioxonicotinateAphis gossypiiInsecticidal activityethyl chloroacetate3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxamidehydrazine hydrateacethydrazide3-amino-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridineSublethal effectsLC50nymphal instar durationgeneration timeadult longevitypyridine derivatives
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#14 of 10,171
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 abundanceinsecticidesneonicotinoid-treated seedsherbicidesLand use changeclimate changeMonarch butterflyUS MidwestToxicological effectsinsect declinescommunity-wide declineshabitat lossNeonicotinoid insecticidesbutterfly surveyslarge-scale study81 counties
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#16 of 10,171
3218m citations

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activities of Novel Coumarin Derivatives as Pesticide Candidates

Henan Ma et al.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry202410.1021/acs.jafc.3c08161

Ziwen Wang, Qingmin WangTianjin Normal University, China

coumarin derivativesantiviral activitytobacco mosaic virus (TMV)FungicidesInsecticidal activityribavirinMolecular dockingTMV CPRhizoctonia cerealisPhysalospora piricolaSclerotinia sclerotiorumPyricularia griseaMythimna separatapesticide-likeness analysisnatural product-based pesticidesplant pathogenic fungiEC50 valuespesticide lead compounds
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#18 of 10,171
3118m citations

Insufficient pollinator visitation often limits yield in crop systems worldwide

Katherine J Turo et al.Nature Ecology & Evolution202410.1038/s41559-024-02460-2

Katherine J. TuroRutgers University, United States

Pollinator visitationcrop yield limitationpollination deficitCrop pollinationpollinator dependenceCrop productionPollination servicespollinator availabilityyield gapPollinator declineagricultural productivityecosystem servicespollinator abundancefruit setPollen limitation
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#19 of 10,171
3018m citations

Host-derived organic acids enable gut colonization of the honey bee symbiont Snodgrassella alvi

Andrew Quinn, Yassine El Chazli et al.Nature Microbiology202410.1038/s41564-023-01572-y

Philipp EngelUniversity of Lausanne, Switzerland

Snodgrassella alviHoney bee gut microbiotaHoney beeshost-derived organic acidscitrateglycerate3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaratecomparative metabolomics13C-tracer analysisNanoSIMSgut colonizationmetabolic niche adaptationhost nutrient secretiontryptophan metabolismkynurenineanthranilatebetaproteobacteriumsaccharide metabolism deficiencyHost-microbe interactions
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#20 of 10,171
3018m citations

Biocontrol efficacy of cajeput oil against Anopheles stephensi L. mosquito and its effect on non-target species

Perumal Vivekanandhan et al.Frontiers in Physiology202410.3389/fphys.2024.1357411

Perumal VivekanandhanSaveetha University, India

Cajeput oilAnopheles stephensiInsecticidal activitysecond-fourth instar larvaeDetoxification enzymesimmune system dysfunctionEudrilus eugeniaeNon-target organismsHistological analysisGC-MS analysisphytochemical screeningbiological controlmalarial vector controlInsecticide resistance
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Insect and Pesticide Research

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

Topics in the Class of 2026 highlight a major research shift from broad pesticide measurement toward mechanistic toxicological impacts, pollinator protection, and molecular pest management strategies. Neonicotinoid insecticides remain the single most prominent topic, appearing in 18% of top-ranked publications, closely tied to specific active compounds such as imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos. Research heavily centers on managed pollinators, specifically honey bees (16% normalized frequency) and parasitic threats like Varroa destructor, examining how chemical exposures compromise colony survival and essential pollination services. Beyond direct mortality, investigating sublethal effects (10% normalized frequency) has emerged as a major focus area. Studies evaluate subtle physiological disruptions including oxidative stress, detoxification enzyme induction (such as glutathione-S-transferase), and alteration of host-microbe interactions within the honey bee gut microbiota. Simultaneously, agricultural pest control research emphasizes emerging resistance mechanisms, leveraging molecular docking and cryo-EM structural analysis to inspect target site channel gating and P450 enzyme overexpression. Advanced bio-based strategies, particularly double-stranded RNA delivery via RNA interference, are increasingly investigated to mitigate target pest damage in invasive species such as Spodoptera frugiperda while protecting non-target insects.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

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

Comparing topic frequencies between the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 reveals a distinct pivot toward mechanistic eco-toxicology and targeted pest control solutions. The most significant growth occurs in research targeting major crop pests and emerging environmental stressors. Studies focusing on the invasive fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and climate change impacts on pollinators experienced dramatic surges, reflecting heightened agricultural urgency. Methodological innovations also surged, with RNA interference (+300% relative change, expanding to 8% of publications) and sublethal physiological modeling (+400% relative change, reaching 10%) replacing traditional endpoint toxicity assays like simple LC50 calculations. In contrast, traditional residue monitoring and environmental fate studies underwent a pronounced decline. Publications centered on broad pesticide residues fell sharply from 20% to 8% normalized frequency (-60% relative drop), while pesticide degradation studies decreased from 8% to 4%. Even foundational neonicotinoid papers saw a relative frequency drop of 36% (from 28% down to 18%), as research transitioned from establishing basic field toxicity toward resolving specific molecular mechanisms of cross-resistance and evaluating multi-stressor interactions across continental-scale agricultural landscapes.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
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 methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Insect and Pesticide Research Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/insect-and-pesticide-research/2026. Accessed 2026-07-22.

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

Source data

The full ranking corpus and analysis files are openly available on an external repository. Please cite the dataset below when reusing this data.

View source dataset →

Pepkio Research Index (2026). Class of 2026: Insect and Pesticide Research [Data set]. Figshare.