Juvenile Hormones and Juvenoids: Modeling Biological Effects and Environmental Fate

Juvenile hormones (JHs) are a group of structurally related sesquiterpenes secreted by the insect corpora allata. They affect most insect life-cycle stages and physiological functions, including embryogenesis, larval and adult development, metamorphosis, reproduction, metabolism, diapause, polyethism, and migration. Juvenoids such as methoprene, hydroprene, kinoprene, pyriproxyfen, and fenoxycarb are man-made chemicals that mimic the structure and/or activity of JHs, selectively targeting and disrupting the endocrine system of insects. They are particularly suited as larvicides for the control