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This overview summarizes important features of the majority of neuropeptide families that occur in two species-rich and widely-radiated arthropod taxa, the crustaceans and the insects. The neuropeptides may act as true neurohormones, which are released into the circulation, or as local neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator. By comparing the primary structures of members of peptide families, the biosynthesis (including preprohormone structure and the peptidergic control of release), the structures of the receptors and transduction of the message via second messenger systems, the inactivation and the multiple functions of selected neuropeptides, we want to draw the reader’s attention to the following main conclusions: 1) neuropeptides are important physiological regulators in arthropods; 2) neuropeptides can be structurally and functionally highly conserved in major arthropod groups (for example, proctolin …