insect olfaction

Scientists use locust brains as living biosensors to perform cancer cell breath tests.

People with more carboxylic acids in their body odor are more attractive to mosquitoes, a study finds.

Neurons in mosquito antennae can express more than one olfactory receptor at a time, a redundancy that likely ensures they don’t lose a potential host’s scent.

The temporary loss of olfaction stops the flies from eating any more of whatever it is that made them sick.

The hawkmoth’s brain uses a different area to search for food than it does to look for where to lay eggs.  

Identification of a DEET-sensitive olfactory receptor leads to alternative, possibly better, repellants.

October 2013's selection of notable quotes

Thanks to a book, a war, and a big green caterpillar, John Hildebrand found himself mapping the exquisite and surprising wiring of the insect olfactory system.