Dispersion of peptides in vegetable oil as a simple slow release formula for both injection and oral uptake in insects: A case study with [His7]-corazonin in an albino Locusta migratoria deficient in corazonin

► Very few insect (neuro)peptides are still be bioactive after passage through the gut. ► Lipidization improves the efficacy of some orally ingested pharmaca/peptides. ► Injected corazonin-in-oil melanized the cuticle of an albino Locusta mutant. ► Orally ingested corazonin-in-oil melanizes the cuticle of nymphs and adults. ► Peptide in vegetable oil may serve as a simple but efficient slow release formula.