Insect pests remain a major challenge in agricultural production and stored-product protection worldwide. Heavy dependence on synthetic insecticides has led to serious concerns including resistance development, environmental pollution, residue accumulation, and negative impacts on beneficial organisms and human health. As a result, there is growing interest in eco-friendly alternatives that provide effective pest control with reduced ecological risks. Insect toxicology and insect pathology play crucial roles in understanding the interactions between insects and toxic or pathogenic agents. Advances in microbial biocontrol and host–pathogen interaction studies have improved knowledge regarding pathogen virulence, insect immune defense, and mechanisms of infection. Furthermore, plant-derived compounds and microbial metabolites have shown promising potential as novel bioinsecticides for integrated pest management programs targeting agricultural and stored-product insect pests.

The goal of this Research Topic is to promote innovative and interdisciplinary research in insect toxicology, insect pathology, microbial control, and novel bioinsecticide development for sustainable insect pest management. This topic aims to address the urgent need for safer and environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical insecticides by exploring biologically derived compounds and microbial agents with high efficacy against economically important insect pests. Rather than spanning the full breadth of biological pest control, the topic concentrates on a focused, clearly connected set of themes: host–pathogen interactions and insect immune responses, pathogen virulence and the biochemical and molecular pathways of toxicity, the development and formulation of microbial and botanical bioinsecticides, and the synergistic interactions between botanical and microbial control agents. Research involving plant-derived bioactive compounds, entomopathogenic microorganisms, microbial metabolites, nanoparticle formulations, and integrated biological pest management strategies is highly encouraged.

This Research Topic also seeks to improve understanding of resistance management, non-target safety, environmental compatibility, and practical applications of bioinsecticides in agricultural and stored-product systems. By bringing together experts from entomology, toxicology, microbiology, biotechnology, and plant sciences, this topic aims to support the advancement of next-generation sustainable pest control technologies, producing a coherent collection in which contributions connect to one another rather than a loose assembly of single, unconnected studies.

This Research Topic welcomes submissions related to insect toxicology, insect pathology, microbial control, host–pathogen interactions, and novel bioinsecticides for sustainable pest management. To keep the collection focused and connected, areas of interest are grouped into the following six themes:

Entomopathogens and host–pathogen interactions — entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria, pathogen virulence, and insect immune responses.

Mechanisms of toxicity and pathogenicity — biochemical and molecular toxicity pathways, enzyme inhibition, and behavioral and physiological effects.

Botanical and microbial bioinsecticides — botanical insecticides, microbial biocontrol agents, microbial metabolites, and phytochemical characterization.

Formulation and synergy — nanoparticle-based formulations and synergistic interactions among botanical and microbial bioagents.

Field efficacy and environmental safety — environmental influences on field efficacy, non-target safety, and environmental compatibility.

Resistance management and IPM — resistance management strategies and compatibility with integrated pest management programs.

Studies focusing on agricultural and stored-product insect pests using laboratory, greenhouse, semi-field, and field evaluations are encouraged. The Research Topic invites Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Methods papers that contribute to the advancement of eco-friendly and scientifically validated biological pest control strategies.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Insect Toxicology, Insect Pathology, and Novel Bioinsecticides for Sustainable Pest Management