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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

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Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization
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Olfaction: chemical signposts along the silk road
Mark C Mescher1, Consuelo M De Moraes
1539, ASI Building Center, Chemical Ecology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. mcmescher@psu.edu
Current Biology : CB
|June 25, 2009
Summary
Silkworm larvae use smell to interact with plants. Combining genetic, physical, and environmental data helps understand these plant-insect chemical communication systems and their evolution.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Chemical Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Olfactory cues are crucial for insect-plant interactions.
- Understanding these interactions requires integrating diverse biological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reception of olfactory cues by silkworm larvae.
- To explore the evolutionary origins of plant-insect chemical communication.
Main Methods:
- Genomic data analysis
- Physiological measurements
- Ecological field observations
Main Results:
- Demonstrated specific olfactory cue reception in silkworm larvae.
- Highlighted the importance of integrating multiple data types for comprehensive understanding.
Conclusions:
- The convergence of genomic, physiological, and ecological data provides significant insights into the evolution of insect-plant chemical communication.
- This multidisciplinary approach is key to unraveling complex chemically mediated interactions.
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