Abstract: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of non-protein coding transcripts longer than 200 nt and regarded as a kind of key regulatory molecules which could regulate gene expression at many different levels including transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In this article, the characteristics, classification and mode of actions of lncRNAs were summarized, and the recent advances of lncRNA research in entomology were reviewed. In the last five years, a huge amount of lncRNAs have been identified from eight insects including Drosophila melanogaster, Plutella xylostella and Nilaparvata lugens, providing important foundation for further exploration of lncRNA function in insect development. At the same time, lncRNA mediated insecticide resistance has become an emerging field of insecticide toxicology, so the very recent advances in lncRNAs involved in insecticide resistance were also reviewed.

Key words: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), insect, classification, biological function, insecticide resistance