The insect excretory system as a target for novel pest control strategies

• The insect excretory system consists of Malpighian tubules and hindgut.
• The system plays essential roles in osmoregulation, ionoregulation and toxin elimination.
• We examine novel pest management strategies which target the excretory system.
• We review strategies for manipulation of diuretic or antidiuretic signaling pathways.
• We also describe approaches for interference with toxin elimination or ion transport.

The insect excretory system plays essential roles in osmoregulation, ionoregulation and toxin elimination. Understanding the mechanisms of fluid and ion transport by the epithelial cells of the excretory system provides a foundation for development of novel pest management strategies. In the present review, we focus on two such strategies: first, impairment of osmoregulation by manipulation of diuretic or antidiuretic signaling pathways and second, interference with toxin elimination by inhibition of toxin transport systems.