Harnessing chemical ecology for improved pest management- advances and future opportunities

One aspect of chemical ecology is the study of interactions between organisms across trophic levels that are mediated by naturally occurring chemicals. These chemical cues are produced by organisms, including plants, insects, and microorganisms, enabling them to communicate intra- and inter-specifically. These cues can be exploited for the management of pests that affect crops through several mechanisms, including, but not limited to, inducing plant defences against pests, direct suppression of pests, and signalling to beneficial predators/parasitoids for pest control. Identifying the chemical cues (semiochemicals) involved in these biological activities, and advancing our understanding of their roles could enable the development of novel, sustainable tools to increase crop productivity. This special issue presents 26 articles published in Pest Manag. Sci. from 2023 to 2025 that report on plant-insect-microbe interactions and microbe-insect interactions. This editorial has a brief overview of manuscripts from the special issue, highlighting substantial advancements in chemical ecology research and priorities for future research. We hope this special issue inspires new ideas for the future of chemical ecology research, highlights opportunities for joint and collaborative approaches, and showcases cutting-edge research that can advance the field forward in tackling global pest management challenges in agricultural and horticultural crops. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.