Thirty-seven papers on diverse aspects of this subject are presented in five sections: (1) Natural product pesticides, (2) Peptides and neuropeptides, (3) Natural and engineered viral agents, (4) Evolving approaches to pesticide discovery: biochemistry and computer-aided design, (5) Registration of biopesticides.
The interest in natural products as leads to new structures continues, reinforced by environmental considerations and refreshed by the recent development of the beta-methoxyacrylate fungicides. In section (1) a wide-ranging review by Nakanishi on the isolation and chemistry of natural products ranging from phytoalexins through brassinosteroids to insect antifeedants, ecdysteroids and spider venoms follows the editors' overview of prospects for the next century. Subsequent papers demonstrate the value of research on microbial metabolites, as represented by the diabroticins; pyrazines active against southern corn rootworm; an up-date on avermectin research; and new herbicidal antibiotics. Comprehensive reviews on the chemistry and activity of the beta-methoxyacrylates, brassinosteroids, azadirachtin and ryanoids, together with shorter papers with more emphasis on sources and bioassays, complete this section.
Section (2) introduces a shift from 'classical' natural products studies into new realms revealed by advances in technique, especially molecular biology. Peptides affect essentially all aspects of organismal development, function and reproduction, and new leads for weed, fungus and insect control may arise from studies on their action. Venoms isolated from insects and spiders are used to explore the properties of ion channels, research which may suggest new chemicals for insegcontrol. Sex peptides regulate insect reproduction;