Synthesizing Neurophysiology, Genetics, Behaviour and Learning to Produce Whole-Insect Programmable Sensors to Detect Volatile Chemicals

Abstract

Insects have extremely sensitive systems of olfaction. These systems have been explored as potential sensors for odourants associated with forensics, medicine, security, and agriculture application. Most sensors based on insect olfaction utilize associative learning to "program" the insects to exhibit some form of behavioural response to a target odourant. To move to the next stage of development with whole-insect programmable sensors, an examination of how odourants are captured, processed and used to create behaviour is necessary. This review article examines how the neurophysiological, molecular, genetic and behavioural system of olfaction works and how an understanding of these systems should lead the way to future developments in whole-insect programmable sensors.

Morphological and genetic differences in legs of a polygamous beetle between sexes, Glenea cantor (Coleopter: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)

“…This structure is also covered with a large number of cone-shaped spines, which further increase its adhesion to provide greater attachment during the expression of pre-spawning behaviour [ 32 , 35 , 36 ]. Some studies have shown through electrophysiological experiments that there are contact chemical sensilla on the legs of insects, which can not only perceive salt, water, sugar, and alkaloids [ 37 , 38 ] but also perceive the host extract [ 39 ] and act as a spawning stimulator [ 40 ]. Through ultramicrostructural observation, it was found that the sawtooth-shaped rigid discs are tapered to a point, which is very similar to the shape of the spore sensillum (SG) on the ovipositor [ 28 ].…”

Insect olfactory system inspired biosensors for odorant detection

“…Emerging information about insect olfactory detection abilities and learning abilities revealed that insect olfactory systems are potentially useful tools for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of odorants. 16,124,125 Thus, some insect-sniffers were trained to detect chemicals associated with medicine, security, forensics, agriculture, and food safety applications. Compared to sniffer dogs, an insect sniffer system might be low-cost and could be conditioned with impressive speed for specific chemical detection tasks.…”