Abstract: Barbarea vulgaris is a biennial crucifer which can synthesize and accumulate saponins. It is an ideal model species for studying saponin biosynthesis，insect resistance and plant-insect co-evolution. In this paper，the research advances on B. vulgaris about the morphological and biological characteristics，evolution，insect-resistant related secondary metabolisms，effects of nutrition and environment on its insect resistance，the advantages as dead-end trap crops，gene mapping of insect-resistance genes were presented. The existing problems and the research orientation in the future were discussed. This review will provide the valuable information for the effective use of this wild species in pest management and genetic improvement of cruciferous crops.

Key words: Barbarea vulgaris, glucosinolate, saponin, diamondback moth, dead-end trap crops, white blister rust