Green leaf volatile‐detecting olfactory receptor neurones display very high sensitivity and specificity in a scarab beetle

Abstract

Summary In the Japanese scarab beetle, Phyllopertha diversa , olfactory receptor neurones specific for the detection of so‐called general green leaf volatiles (GLV) display a high specificity and sensitivity. Three main types of green‐leaf‐volatile‐detecting receptor neurones specific to ( Z )‐3‐hexenyl acetate, ( E )‐2‐hexenal and ( Z )‐3‐hexenol, respectively, were identified. Each type responded at a very low stimulus concentration to the key stimulus, and required at least a thousand‐fold increase in concentration to respond to any of the other GLVs tested. Flower‐odour‐and pheromone‐detecting receptor neurones were also identified. Olfactory sensilla housing plant‐odour‐ or pheromone‐detecting receptor neurones displayed clear morphological differences, and were also separated into different antennal regions.