Several reviews devoted to various aspects of ecdysone research have been published during the last few years. Therefore, this article concentrates mainly on the considerable progress in ecdysone research observed recently, and will cover the results obtained during the last 2 years. The main emphasis is put on the molecular mode of ecdysteroid receptor-mediated hormone action. Two examples of interaction with other hormonal signalling pathways are described, namely crosstalk with juvenile hormone and insulin. Some selected, recently investigated examples of the multitude of hormonal responses are described. Finally, ecological aspects and some practical applications are discussed.