Abstract: Insect physiology is one of the fastest-growing disciplines of the entomology. Through analysing the insect physiology programs funded by Zoology Division of Life Science Department, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) over the last twenty years, we found that the Division supported 92 programs for General Projects, accounting for 7.26% of the total 1 208 funded proposals. Sixteen applications for Young Scientists’ Fund were supported and accounted for 12.12% of the 132 proposals funded. Regarding the key programs, 10 projects were funded. The development of basic researches on insect physiology in our country has extended from tissue and cell level into molecule and gene level. Studies of insect genomics, functional gene and hormone regulation in insect development, co-evolution between host plants, insects and natural enemies, insect immunity and its mechanism, etc., will be the development tendency of insect physiology. In the future, researches on insect physiology in our country should be enhanced in such areas including research direction, talents squad construction, cooperation among nations and the leading role of funds.

Key words: Zoology, insect physiology, science foundation, funded programs, research progress