Topics and Trends in Most Cited Insect-Plant Interactions and Control Papers, Class of 2026

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

The Class of 2026 highlights a shift toward uncovering specialized biochemical interactions and ecological dynamics, with topics like secondary metabolites and range expansion rising sharply. Concurrently, traditional focuses on general insecticide resistance and basic jasmonate pathways have slightly declined, reflecting a pivot toward nuanced biological control and targeted molecular interventions.

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Updated July 17, 2026

At a glance

Field: Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
Cohort label: Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed: 7,020
Papers ranked: 20
Top topics in ranked papers: Insecticide resistance, jasmonate signaling, jasmonates, detoxification, RNA interference
Publication window: Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility: Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window: 18 months post-publication
18m citation range: 23–98
Data source: OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License: CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 7,020

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 effectsreproductive effectstemperature-pesticide interactionmosquitoesbutterfliesinsecticidesHerbicidesFungicidesPlant growth regulationenvironmentally relevant concentrationsinsect biomass declinecross-species behavioral changespopulation-level impacts

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#2 of 7,020

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 receptorOR-Orco heterocomplexOrcoligand-gated ion channelsAp OR5Acyrthosiphon pisumgeranyl acetateChemical recognitionChannel gatingcryo-EM structureasymmetrical pore openingS7b helixion influxinsecticidesrepellentsPest management

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#3 of 7,020

4218m citations

Jasmonic Acid (JA) in Plant Immune Response: Unravelling Complex Molecular Mechanisms and Networking of Defence Signalling Against Pathogens

Rajib Roychowdhury et al.Journal of Plant Growth Regulation202410.1007/s00344-024-11264-4

Rajib RoychowdhuryAgricultural Research Organization (ARO)-The Volcani Center, Israel

JasmonatesJasmonate signalingPlant immunityPathogen resistancePlant immunity signalingJasmonate biosynthesisCOI1-JAZ co-receptorJAZ proteinsMYC transcription factorsJA-Ilenecrotrophic pathogensbiotrophic pathogensJA-SA crosstalksalicylic acid antagonisminduced systemic resistanceHerbivore defenseJA-ethylene synergy

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#4 of 7,020

4018m citations

The JA-to-ABA signaling relay promotes lignin deposition for wound healing in Arabidopsis

Huimin Xu et al.Molecular Plant202410.1016/j.molp.2024.09.003

Chuanyou Li, Meng Li, Shuang WuAnhui Agricultural University, China

Jasmonate signalingabscisic acid signalingJA-to-ABA relaylignin depositionWound responseArabidopsis thalianaphytohormone crosstalksecondary cell wall formationwound-induced lignificationPlant immunity

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#5 of 7,020

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 microbiotaSecondary metabolites1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ)Bombyx moriSpodoptera exiguaPseudomonas fulva ZJU1DetoxificationHerbivore-plant interactionsmicrobial degradationilvB geneCRISPR-Cas9 knockoutbacterial inoculationmulberry defensive compoundsSymbiosisspecialist vs nonspecialist herbivoresTranscriptomicsDNJ degradation pathway

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#6 of 7,020

3818m citations

Multiomic analyses reveal key sectors of jasmonate-mediated defense responses in rice

Yumeng Chen et al.The Plant Cell202410.1093/plcell/koae159

Ran LiZhejiang University, China

Jasmonate signalingOryza sativaMYC2bHLH6transcriptional cascadesNAC transcription factorsNAC1NAC3NAC4negative feedback regulationJAZ proteinsJA catabolic genesSecondary metabolite biosynthesisterpene synthaseTPS35Nilaparvata lugensHerbivore defenseOviposition-induced defensesnatural enemy attractionmultiomic integration

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#7 of 7,020

3718m citations

The MYC2–PUB22–JAZ4 module plays a crucial role in jasmonate signaling in tomato

Shaofang Wu et al.Molecular Plant202410.1016/j.molp.2024.02.006

Jingquan YuZhejiang University, China

MYC2PUB22JAZ4Jasmonate signalingtomatotranscription factorE3 ubiquitin ligaseJAZ proteinsprotein-protein interactionUbiquitinationhormone signaling moduleSolanum lycopersicum

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#8 of 7,020

3718m citations

Molecular Crosstalk of Jasmonate with Major Phytohormones and Plant Growth Regulators During Diverse Stress Responses

Santanu Samanta et al.Journal of Plant Growth Regulation202410.1007/s00344-024-11412-w

Aryadeep RoychoudhurySt. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), India

Jasmonatesphytohormone crosstalkPlant growth regulationStress responseabscisic acidsalicylic acidethyleneAuxincytokiningibberellinbrassinosteroidJasmonate signalingCOI1-JAZ co-receptorBiotic stressAbiotic stressGrowth-defense tradeoffhormone antagonismhormone synergism

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#9 of 7,020

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

nanoparticle LDHRNA interferencedsRNApiercing-sucking pestsdsRNA stabilitydsRNA transport in plantslayered double hydroxideplant-mediated RNAidsRNA deliveryPest managementRNA interference enhancementnanocarrierdsRNA degradation protectionphloem transport

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#10 of 7,020

3418m citations

Pyridine Derivatives as Insecticides. Part 5. New Thieno[2,3-b]pyridines and Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines Containing Mainly Ethyl Nicotinate Scaffold and Their Insecticidal Activity toward Aphis gossypii (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 derivativescotton aphid

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#11 of 7,020

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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#12 of 7,020

3018m citations

GPCR–MAPK signaling pathways underpin fitness trade-offs in whitefly

Buli Fu, Jinjin Liang, Jinyu Hu, Tianhua Du, Qimei Tan et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2402407121

Buli Fu, Jinjin Liang, Jinyu Hu, Tianhua Du, Qimei Tan, Chris Bass, Xin Yang, Youjun ZhangChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

fitness trade-offsInsecticide resistanceBemisia tabaciMAPK pathwayCYP6CM1neonicotinoids resistancep38 MAPKERKcAMP-response element binding proteinCap'n'collar isoform C (CncC)exuperantia (Ex)vasa (Va)benign gonial cell neoplasm (Bg)oogenesisFecundityGPCRneuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFF2)positive feedback loopcis-trans regulatory networksreproductive cost

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#13 of 7,020

3018m citations

Differential induction of JA/SA determines plant defense against successive leaf-chewing and phloem-feeding insects

Yuxiao Liu et al.Journal of Pest Science202410.1007/s10340-024-01821-x

Xiaowei WangZhejiang University, China

Jasmonatessalicylic acidleaf-chewing insectsPhloem feedingSuccessive herbivoryplant defense primingHerbivore-induced plant volatilesJA-SA crosstalkdefense hormone signalinginduced systemic resistanceHerbivore-plant interactionsphytohormone dynamicsGrowth-defense tradeoff

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#14 of 7,020

2918m citations

Animal‐pollinated crops and cultivars—A quantitative assessment of pollinator dependence values and evaluation of methodological approaches

Catarina Siopa et al.Journal of Applied Ecology202410.1111/1365-2664.14634

Catarina SiopaUniversity of Coimbra, Portugal

Pollinator dependencePollen limitationanimal-pollinated cropscultivar variationHand pollinationopen pollinationPollinator exclusion treatmentpollination experimentsquantitative PD valuesaccession-level dependencepollinator contribution to agriculturefood securityagroecosystem managementpollination methodologywhole plant assessmentbranch-level assessmentunderestimation biaspollinator-friendly practices

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#15 of 7,020

2918m citations

Area-wide survey and monitoring of insecticide resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), from 2020 to 2023 in China

Wen-Nan Ye et al.Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology202410.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106173

Cong‐Fen GaoNanjing Agricultural University, China

Nilaparvata lugensInsecticide resistancearea-wide surveyChina2020-2023 temporal study

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#16 of 7,020

2818m citations

Nanoparticle-delivered RNAi-based pesticide target screening for the rice pest white-backed planthopper and risk assessment for a natural predator

Yun-Feng Ma et al.The Science of The Total Environment202410.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171286

Guy Smagghe, Ming He, Peng HeGuizhou University, China

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#17 of 7,020

2818m citations

Mechanistic exploration of odorant binding protein-mediated chlorpyrifos resistance in Nilaparvata lugens: Insights from insecticide sequestration and transcriptional regulation

Mengqing Deng et al.International Journal of Biological Macromolecules202410.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138108

Kai LǚAnhui Agricultural University, China

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#18 of 7,020

2718m citations

Widespread establishment of adventive populations of Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) in North America and development of a multiplex PCR assay to identify key parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

Tara D. Gariépy et al.NeoBiota202410.3897/neobiota.93.121219

Tara D. GariépyUnknown, Unknown

Leptopilina japonicaDrosophila suzukiiGanaspis cf. brasiliensisLeptopilina heterotomaadventive establishmentparasitoid waspsBiological control agentmultiplex PCR assayspecies-specific molecular identificationRange expansionintentional biological control introductionsfield surveysFigitidaeDrosophilidaeInvasive fruit pestparasitoid spread monitoringNorth America establishmenttaxonomic identification tools

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#19 of 7,020

2418m citations

Global insect herbivory and its response to climate change

Mu Liu et al.Current Biology202410.1016/j.cub.2024.04.062

Xiang LiuLanzhou University, China

Herbivoryclimate changeglobal patternstemperature effectslatitudinal gradientsHerbivore-plant interactionsleaf damagewarming experimentsInsect feedingclimate gradientsherbivore abundancethermal sensitivityecosystem responses

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#20 of 7,020

2318m citations

The role of ATP-binding cassette transporters in arthropod pesticide toxicity and resistance

Dries Amezian et al.Current Opinion in Insect Science202410.1016/j.cois.2024.101200

Thomas Van LeeuwenGhent University, Belgium

ABC transportersInsecticide resistancepesticide toxicityDetoxificationP-glycoproteinmultidrug resistance proteinsarthropod toxicology

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Topic trends

Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Insect-Plant Interactions and Control

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

In the Class of 2026, research on insect-plant interactions and control is predominantly defined by deep molecular analyses of plant defense pathways and insect adaptation mechanisms. The most prominent topics include "Insecticide resistance" and "Jasmonate signaling," alongside "Jasmonates" and "Detoxification." This highlights a dual focus: understanding how plants utilize the jasmonate pathway—including key components like JAZ proteins and MYC2—to orchestrate defenses against herbivores, and how insects concurrently develop resistance or detoxification mechanisms to overcome these defenses or chemical controls. The strong presence of "RNA interference" indicates an active interest in advanced biotechnological strategies for pest management. Together, these topics reveal a field that is moving beyond observational ecology toward characterizing the intricate, molecular-level arms race between plants and insects, aiming to leverage these insights for more targeted, sustainable agricultural interventions.

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

The transition from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026 reveals a notable shift toward specialized biochemical responses and ecological applications. Topics such as "Secondary metabolites" and "Range expansion" emerged rapidly, exhibiting the largest fold-change increases. There was also a marked rise in focus on "Biological control agent," "Plant growth regulation," and "Bioactive secondary metabolites." These trends indicate that researchers are increasingly interested in exploring how specific plant-derived compounds and natural enemies can be harnessed to mitigate pest pressures, particularly as pest ranges shift due to environmental changes. Conversely, traditionally heavily studied areas like "Insecticide resistance," "Jasmonates," and "Overexpression" experienced moderate declines in relative frequency. This evolution underscores a broader trend in the field: a pivot away from cataloging general resistance phenomena and basic pathway mapping, toward investigating nuanced, context-dependent chemical interactions and developing integrated, biological control strategies suited for dynamic ecological landscapes.

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-Plant Interactions and Control Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/insect-plant-interactions-and-control/2026. Accessed 2026-07-17.

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