Chronic electrode for long-term electrophysiological recording from insect chemosensilla

Insertion of a chronic, non-damaging Pt electrode for electrophysiological recording from chemosensilla in Phormia is described. The experimental procedure did not modify in a significant way the survival capabilities or the general behaviour of the operated insects as compared to control, untreated ones. This method, which allows the performance of subsequent tests on the same specimen up to its full lifespan with fairly constant results, proved to be suitable in long-term experiments on the chemosensory function of insects.