Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Chemistry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426976
Research Project: Regulation, Biosynthesis, and Function of Plant Chemical Defenses and their Role in Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Location: Chemistry Research

Title: Flavonoids at the crossroads of plant defense: A multifunctional shield against insect Pests

Author
item SHINDE, SANKET - University Of Nebraska
item KUNDU, PRITHA - University Of Nebraska
item SHRESTHA, KUMAR - University Of Nebraska
item KALER, ESHA - University Of Nebraska
item VERMA, KASHISH - University Of Nebraska
item Block, Anna
item LOUIS, JOE - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Journal of Experimental Botany
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/16/2026
Publication Date: 2/24/2026
Citation: Shinde, S., Kundu, P., Shrestha, K., Kaler, E., Verma, K., Block, A.K., Louis, J. 2026. Flavonoids at the crossroads of plant defense: A multifunctional shield against insect Pests. Journal of Experimental Botany. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erag096.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erag096

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Flavonoids are a diverse group of secondary metabolites that play crucial roles in plant defense against insect herbivores, linking biochemical, physiological, and ecological processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of flavonoid biosynthesis, classification, and regulatory mechanisms, emphasizing their direct and indirect roles in deterring insect attacks. We explore how insect-derived cues dynamically influence flavonoid production, highlighting their importance in signal transduction and the coevolution of plant-insect interactions. In addition, we discuss the multifunctional nature of flavonoids in responding to both biotic and abiotic stresses, and how these defense layers interact to shape complex plant responses. The review also examines emerging genetic and molecular approaches that harness flavonoid pathways for enhanced pest resistance, with consideration of recent biotechnological advances, environmental impacts, and their potential applications as biopesticides and biostimulants. By integrating these perspectives, we highlight the promise of flavonoid-based strategies in developing sustainable, ecosystem-specific pest management solutions.