Technical Abstract: This publication represents an introduction to a special issue of the journal General and Comparative Endocrinology dedicated to Insect Endocrinology. The issue addresses a number of aspects of invertebrate neuropeptide research including identification of novel invertebrate neuropeptide sequences via state-of-the-art analytical techniques, further characterization of new biological roles for existing neuropeptides, elucidation of the mechanisms and biochemical pathways through which neuropeptides operate, and aspects of neuropeptide metabolism. In addition, several papers address the design and evaluation of metabolically-resistant mimetic analogs with enhanced ability to over-stimulate and disrupt neuropeptide-regulated functions, and their significance to the development of novel, neuropeptide-based strategies for management of arthropod pests.