Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Osmoregulation in Insects

Osmoregulation in Insects

Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Conserved molecular signatures of hygrosensory neurons in two dipteran species.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Three-dimensional ultrastructural characterization of Drosophila melanogaster hygrosensilla across humidity conditions.

PloS one·2025

Same author

A dynamic humidity arena to explore humidity-related behaviours in insects.

The Journal of experimental biology·2024

Same author

Genetic atlas of hygro-and thermosensory cells in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster.

Scientific reports·2023

Same author

Wild African Drosophila melanogaster Are Seasonal Specialists on Marula Fruit.

Current biology : CB·2018

Same author

Early Integration of Temperature and Humidity Stimuli in the Drosophila Brain.

Current biology : CB·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Published on: March 29, 2011

Humidity sensing in insects-from ecology to neural processing.

¹Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Current Opinion in Insect Science

|December 7, 2017

Summary

Humidity sensing (hygrosensation) in insects is crucial for their survival and navigation. While the sensory neurons are known, the exact mechanism remains elusive, though recent discoveries are paving the way for new research.

Area of Science:

Environmental science
Animal behavior
Neurobiology

Background:

Humidity significantly impacts animal fitness, reproduction, and distribution.
Insects rely on humidity cues for environmental navigation.
The biological mechanism of humidity sensing (hygrosensation) in insects has been poorly understood for decades.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding insect hygrosensation.
To discuss key molecules identified in humidity sensing pathways.
To explore novel research approaches for studying hygrosensory transduction.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent scientific publications.
Analysis of identified molecular players in hygrosensation.

More Related Videos

Electrophysiological Recording from Drosophila Trichoid Sensilla in Response to Odorants of Low Volatility

Electrophysiological Recording from Drosophila Trichoid Sensilla in Response to Odorants of Low Volatility

Published on: July 27, 2017

Multi-unit Recording Methods to Characterize Neural Activity in the Locust Schistocerca Americana Olfactory Circuits

Multi-unit Recording Methods to Characterize Neural Activity in the Locust Schistocerca Americana Olfactory Circuits

Published on: January 25, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Published on: March 29, 2011

Electrophysiological Recording from Drosophila Trichoid Sensilla in Response to Odorants of Low Volatility

Electrophysiological Recording from Drosophila Trichoid Sensilla in Response to Odorants of Low Volatility

Published on: July 27, 2017

Multi-unit Recording Methods to Characterize Neural Activity in the Locust Schistocerca Americana Olfactory Circuits

Multi-unit Recording Methods to Characterize Neural Activity in the Locust Schistocerca Americana Olfactory Circuits

Published on: January 25, 2013

Discussion of emerging research methodologies.

Main Results:

Progress has been made in identifying key molecules involved in hygrosensation.
New avenues for investigating hygrosensory transduction mechanisms have emerged.
The review synthesizes current knowledge on insect humidity sensing.

Conclusions:

Understanding insect hygrosensation is advancing due to molecular discoveries.
Future research will likely focus on these identified molecules and novel techniques.
This progress is vital for comprehending insect environmental interactions and distribution.