Abstract: Ecdysteroid action in Drosophila melanogaster and other insects is mediated by the dimerization of two nuclear receptors, the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (USP), which regulate the transcription of target genes. Disclosed are nucleic acid constructs to identify insecticides having the ability to modify insect development and growth in a developmental stage-specific and/or species-specific manner.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for screening for compounds that act to modulate insect growth. Bioassays including cell culture and/or transgenic insects engineered with various components of the ecdysoid receptor (EcR) and/or the farsenoid-X receptor (RXR) systems to identify compounds that act as insecticides and/or hormone receptor activators are described. Also described are compounds, and compositions, identified as being putative insecticides based upon their ability to activate EcR and/or FXR mediated transcription.