Abstract: Spinosyn insecticides with advantages of high efficacy, low toxicity, broad spectrum and environmentally benign, are promising insecticides for the integrated pest management of pest insects. In recent years, the environmental degradation fate of spinosad and spinetoram including major metabolites and the degradation dynamics in soil, water and crops were reported. Moreover, the resistance mechanisms of insects to spinosad and spinetoram, especially metabolic resistance and target-mutation related resistance, were elucidated. These information is useful for rational application and resistance management of spinosad and spinetoram. Furthermore, technologies such as computational model-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis, the regulation of biosynthesis pathways and the organic synthesis played key roles in the discovery of spinetoram with much higher efficacy and broader insecticidal spectrum by modifying the structures of insecticidal natural products. In the review, the chemical structure characteristics and the research progresses on the environmental degradation of spinosad and spinetoram were summarized. Additionally, the achievements in the studies of resistance mechanisms to spinosad and spinetoram were also reviewed.