Abstract: Neonicotinoids act mainly on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).The structure character of neonicotinoids is described and the typical advances on structural modification for heterocyclic and pharmacophore groups of neonicotinoids based on insect nAChRs structure in recent years are reviewed.In addition,the modes of action between new compound and insect nAChRs are summaried.It is believed that all of them would provide a theoretical help for exploring novel nicotinic compound with high activity.