Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptides isolated from the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding these peptides, vectors and host cells comprising these nucleic acid molecules, and chemical and biological methods for producing these peptides. The present peptides have novel sequences comprising hydroxyproline residues and C-terminal amide groups which give the peptides improved stability in the gut of insects. The peptides of the invention are related to the allatostatin class of insect neuropeptides, have inhibitory effects on gut motility in the blowfly C. vomitoria, and have allatostatic effects in cockroaches of the species Diploptera punctata and Periplaneta americana. The invention also provides compositions comprising the present peptides which may be used as insecticides, and provides methods of killing or controlling insects comprising administering the nucleic acid molecules, peptides or compositions of the invention to insects.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel neuropeptides isolated from Calliphora vomitoria, which are suitable for use in insecticidal formulations for controlling insects.