Development of morphogenetic agents in insect control.

Chemicals which interfere with the growth and development of insects (morphogenetic agents) have been receiving major attention as potential means of selective insect control. Major advances in this field resulted from the identification of Juvenile Hormones -1, -2, and -3, and the discovery that various terpenoid and sesquiterpenoid derivatives were more potent morphogenetic agents than the three known Juvenile Hormones. Several highly active compounds have emerged from these research programs. Their field performance, problems, and prospects in selective insect control are considered here.