Topics and Trends in Most Cited Insect Pest Control Strategies Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Insect Pest Control Strategies research in the Class of 2026?

Insect pest control research in 2024 is dominated by essential oils, insecticide resistance, and molecular docking target screening. The field demonstrates a strong cohort shift away from standard LC50 toxicity testing toward biological control, reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative stress, and detoxification enzyme pathways to overcome chemical resistance.

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Updated July 22, 2026

At a glance

Field
Insect Pest Control Strategies
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
6,945
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Essential oils, insecticide resistance, molecular docking, detoxification enzymes, biopesticides
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
22–98
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 6,945
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 pesticide effectsagrochemical library screening1024 molecule chemical libraryDrosophila melanogasterlarval behavior assayslong-term survivabilityphosphoproteome changesdevelopmental toxicityreproductive effectstemperature-pesticide interactionmosquitoesbutterfliesinsecticidesherbicidesFungicidesplant growth inhibitorsenvironmentally relevant concentrationsinsect biomass declinecross-species behavioral changespopulation-level impacts
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#3 of 6,945
6418m citations

Green synthesis of Eucalyptus globulus zinc nanoparticles and its use in antimicrobial insect repellent paint formulation in bulk industrial production

Hammad Majeed et al.Heliyon202410.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24467

Hammad Majeed, Tehreema IftikharUniversity of Management and Technology (UMT), Pakistan

Eucalyptus globuluszinc nanoparticlesGreen synthesisinsect repellent paintantimicrobial coatingsFTIR spectroscopyUV-visible spectroscopyparticle size analysisEscherichia coliStaphylococcus aureusAedes aegyptiinhibition zonephytochemical screeningbiocidal activitycolor attributesCMC ΔEaqueous extractPaint formulationMosquito repellent activity
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#4 of 6,945
4618m citations

Innovative formulation strategies for botanical- and essential oil-based insecticides

K. C. Sarmah et al.Journal of Pest Science202410.1007/s10340-024-01846-2

K. C. SarmahTamil Nadu Agricultural University, India

botanical insecticidesessential oil-based insecticidesinsecticide formulationformulation strategiesbotanical extractsEssential oilsdelivery systemsemulsificationmicroencapsulationnanoemulsionstability enhancementbioavailabilityvolatility reductioncontrolled releasephytochemical preservation
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#5 of 6,945
3718m citations

Effect of a spatial repellent on malaria incidence in an area of western Kenya characterised by high malaria transmission, insecticide resistance, and universal coverage of insecticide treated nets (part of the AEGIS Consortium): a cluster-randomised, controlled trial

Eric O Ochomo et al.The Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)02253-0

Nicole L. AcheeKenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

spatial repellentmalaria incidencewestern Kenyahigh malaria transmissioninsecticide resistanceinsecticide treated netsuniversal coverageAEGIS Consortiumcluster-randomised controlled trial
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#6 of 6,945
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 regulatorstriethylorthoformatephenacyl chloridemolecular docking2CH5 receptorbinding affinitydensity functional theory (DFT)HOMO-LUMO energy gapbuprofezinLC50protein-ligand interactions2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinonechloroanil
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#7 of 6,945
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 concentrationsLC50nymphal instar durationgeneration timeadult longevitypyridine derivativescotton aphid
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#9 of 6,945
3318m citations

Enhanced capacity of a leaf beetle to combat dual stress from entomopathogens and herbicides mediated by associated microbiota

Yuxin Zhang, Handan Xu et al.Integrative Zoology202410.1111/1749-4877.12812

Jing Luo, Letian XUHubei University, China

Plagiodera versicoloraAspergillus nomiusglyphosateassociated microbiotaEntomopathogenic fungiherbicide stresstripartite interactionbacterial communitiesfungal suppressionPseudomonasinsect immunitydual stress tolerancemicrobiota composition shiftsvirulenceleaf beetleinsect-microbe-pathogen interaction
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#10 of 6,945
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 stephensimosquito larvicidal activitysecond-fourth instar larvaeDetoxification enzymesimmune system dysfunctionEudrilus eugeniaeNon-target toxicityHistopathological analysisGas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)phytochemical screeningbiological controlvector controlinsecticide resistance
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#14 of 6,945
2518m citations

Monitoring and Detection of Insecticide Resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Evidence for Field-Evolved Resistance in Egypt

Moataz A M Moustafa et al.Insects202410.3390/insects15090705

Ahmed A. A. AioubCairo University, Egypt

Spodoptera frugiperdainsecticide resistancefield-evolved resistanceprofenofoscypermethrinemamectin benzoatespinosadBacillus thuringiensislufenurondiflubenzuronmethoxyfenozidePiperonyl butoxidediethyl maleatetriphenyl phosphateglutathione S-transferaseCytochrome P450carboxylesteraseAcetylcholinesterasesynergism assaysDetoxification enzymes
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#16 of 6,945
2418m citations

UDP-glycosyltransferases act as key determinants of host plant range in generalist and specialist <i>Spodoptera</i> species

Huidong Wang, Jing Song et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2402045121

Huidong Wang, Jing Song, Chris Bass, Shutang ZhouHenan University, China

UDP-glycosyltransferasesSpodoptera genusSpodoptera frugiperdaSpodoptera pictahost plant rangegeneralist insectsspecialist insectsUGT gene pseudogenizationCRISPR-Cas9 knockoutsUGT33 genesUGT40 genesSfUGT33F32benzoxazinoid detoxificationDIMBOApoaceous plantsSpUGT33F34nonfunctionalizing mutationCrinum plantsphytotoxin detoxification
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#17 of 6,945
2318m citations

Synthesis of paeonol hydrazone derivatives and their anti‐oomycete, anti‐fungal, and nematicidal activities

Mei Hu et al.Pest Management Science202410.1002/ps.8306

Yuee Tian, Zhiping CheHenan University of Science and Technology, China

paeonolhydrazone derivativesSchiff basesPhytophthora capsiciFusarium graminearumHeterodera glycinesanti-oomycete activityAntifungal activitynematicidal activitysingle-crystal X-ray diffractionEC50 valuesLC50nitro group substitutionhalogen substitutionstructure-activity relationshipnatural product-based pesticides
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#18 of 6,945
2318m citations

Field evaluation of a volatile pyrethroid spatial repellent and etofenprox treated clothing for outdoor protection against forest malaria vectors in Cambodia

Élodie A Vajda et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-67470-3

Élodie A. VajdaUniversity of California, San Francisco, United States

malaria eliminationforest malariaAnopheles mosquitoesvolatile pyrethroid spatial repellentstransfluthrininsecticide-treated clothingetofenproxpicaridin topical repellentoutdoor malaria transmissiondaytime mosquito biting7×7 Latin-square designprotective efficacyvectoral capacity modelingMondulkiri ProvinceGreater Mekong Subregionforest fringe areaslanding rate reductionpassive spatial repellentcombination intervention
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#20 of 6,945
2218m citations

Circumscription of the Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering, 1905) species complex (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), and the description of two new species parasitizing the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, 1931 (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

Jeffrey Sosa‐Calvo et al.Journal of Hymenoptera Research202410.3897/jhr.97.118567

Matthew L. BuffingtonSmithsonian NMNH, United States

Ganaspis brasiliensis species complexGanaspis lupini sp. nov.Ganaspis kimorum sp. nov.Drosophila suzukiicryptic speciesultra-conserved elementshost specificityovipositor morphologyovipositor clipbiological control agentparasitoid waspsFigitidaetemperate climatespan-tropical distributionfresh fruit ovipositionrotting fruit hosts
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Insect Pest Control Strategies

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The 2024 publication cohort in insect pest control strategies demonstrates a decisive research pivot toward bio-based intervention methods and structural biochemical mechanisms to counteract rising synthetic pesticide resistance. Bio-derived active compounds lead the field, with essential oils emerging as the most dominant theme—featured in 18% of ranked papers—complemented by secondary metabolites and botanical biopesticides. This emphasis on natural products reflects urgent agricultural and public health demands for eco-friendly, non-toxic pest management solutions. Mechanistically, modern pest control studies heavily integrate computational and molecular approaches. Molecular docking has become a cornerstone methodology (appearing in 14% of top studies) to screen plant-derived phytochemicals against specific insect enzymatic targets. Concurrently, investigating insecticide resistance mechanisms remains paramount (16% of papers), with significant attention focused on detoxification enzyme pathways such as cytochrome P450s and glutathione S-transferases that drive metabolic resistance in major agricultural pests like Spodoptera frugiperda and disease vectors like Aedes aegypti. Furthermore, biological control strategies utilizing entomopathogenic fungi alongside gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for chemical profiling underscore an integrated paradigm combining ecological bio-agents with precision analytical chemistry.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

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

Comparing the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 cohorts reveals a distinct transition from descriptive lethal concentration assays toward dynamic mode-of-action studies and functional biological interventions. The most substantial gains occurred in biological control and eco-friendly delivery mechanisms, with biological control applications, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, and fumigation toxicity seeing dramatic surges as novel non-synthetic control modalities. Applied storage preservation research also surged, reflected in emerging interest around active packaging incorporating botanical bio-actives to prevent post-harvest infestation. In contrast, classical toxicology metrics and broad screening assays experienced noticeable relative declines. Standard median lethal concentration assays (LC50) fell from 16% to 8% of top publications, while general analytical profiling via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) dropped from 16% to 10%. Additionally, direct studies focusing primarily on Aedes aegypti (declining from 16% to 6%) and individual target genes like cytochrome P450 gave way to broader systemic investigations of detoxification enzyme networks (which doubled from 4% to 8%) and integrated vector control frameworks. Overall, the literature is shifting away from simple mortality reporting toward mechanistic bio-pesticide formulations and oxidative stress mechanisms in pest populations.

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 Pest Control Strategies Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/insect-pest-control-strategies/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