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How Insects Are Stimulated by Smells

By Sandra J. Ackerman

Dr. John G. Hildebrand discusses the neurobiology of the insect olfactory system, its roles in behavior, and related areas of chemical ecology and biology of disease vectors.

November 19, 2015

From The Staff Biology Chemistry Animal Behavior

Courtesy of John G. Hildebrand

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What can we learn about the brain by getting up close and personal into the sense of smell of the giant sphinx moth? More than you'd think.

Dr. John G. Hildebrand, a neuroscience professor at the University of Arizona and one of Sigma Xi's Distinguished Lecturers, studies insect nervous systems, particularly the neurobiology of the olfactory system, its roles in behavior, and related areas of chemical ecology and biology of disease vectors.

Here are some tweeted excerpts from the discussion:

For more on olfactory systems, see "Artificial Noses" by David R. Walt, Shannon E. Stitzel, and Matthew J. Aernecke.

Scents and Insect Brains

A Q & A with John Hildebrand of the University of Arizona

  1. Starting in 15 minutes! #AmSciGHO on insect brains and scents. Please join us! #hangouts https://t.co/8WDwqggmyu https://t.co/3Pp6K9YmXo
    Starting in 15 minutes! #AmSciGHO on insect brains and scents. Please join us! #hangouts  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cmlhoaoa7u8pvsblg5mrpufl32c … pic.twitter.com/3Pp6K9YmXo
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    ·
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:18:11
  2. Today's moderator is @sj_ackerman, talking with John Hildebrand of @UofA https://t.co/o08AuO4iIW #AmSciGHO https://t.co/B7SStJxqso
    Today's moderator is @sj_ackerman, talking with John Hildebrand of @UofA  http://neurosci.arizona.edu/john-g-hildebrand … #AmSciGHO pic.twitter.com/B7SStJxqso
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    ·
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:30:49
  3. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Thanks for sponsoring Google Hangout, @SigmaXiSociety Research Triangle Park Chapter! #SigmaXiChapters #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/cmlhoaoa7u8pvsblg5mrpufl32c …
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:32:22
  4. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: I always respect the little creatures and don't assume what they experience.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:33:41
  5. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    We assume insects don't think, but let's not make assumptions- Dr. Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:33:45
  6. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Anyone had tomato plants eaten by caterpillars, prob was of hawk moth.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:35:05
  7. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Hawk moths are often mistaken at dusk for hummingbirds because so large.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:35:38
  8. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Dr. Hildebrand studies the olfactory system of the giant sphinx moth Manduca sexta at @UofA  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manduca_sexta … #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:36:05
  9. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Hawk moth adults die off in winter, pupae form overwinters underground.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:36:56
  10. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Larvae grows from tiny to cigar sz over 20 days and 5 molts.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:37:50
  11. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Hawk moth caterpillars start to dig into ground and overwinter there as pupae.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:38:35
  12. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain: Manduca, sci name of hawk moths, means glutton. Connect to Very Hungry Caterpillar?
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:40:06
  13. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    "The word Manduca means glutton" -Dr. Hildebrand on the moth he studies, Manduca sexta #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:40:32
  14. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Hawk moth behaviors depend greatly on olfaction. Layout in brain sim to mammals.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:40:52
  15. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Insect olfaction system in brain much simpler than mammal so easier to trace.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:41:44
  16. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Dr. Hildebrand chose to work on Manduca sexta 45 years ago. It's brain and nerve cells are bigger than many other insects #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:42:33
  17. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Big nerve cells in relatively simpler system makes it easier to understand.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:42:46
  18. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: know abt a lot of the behaviors that are served by olfaction, rich opportunities
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:44:07
  19. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    I'm interested in nervous systems because of what it does for the insect going about the business of living. -J Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:44:45
  20. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Need to det what stimulus animal interested in, not what we are interested in.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:44:51
  21. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Apparent our olfact system more powerful than we thought it was. (1/2)
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:45:59
  22. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: We assume we are conscious of what we use our olfactory system for, but not.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:46:19
  23. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Example: Olfact stim we're not aware of may be important in human bonding.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:46:43
  24. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Studies show people can tell histocompatibility genes thru scents.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:48:22
  25. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Human olfactory system more powerful than previously thought. Might play roles in our lives that we aren't aware of. -J Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:47:21
  26. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Sense of smell may play a part in how humans select partners-J Hildebrand #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/b/105912012577473692435/events/cmlhoaoa7u8pvsblg5mrpufl32c …
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:49:22
  27. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Hawk moths use antennae as primary olfactory organs, but don't move them around.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:50:40
  28. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Use antennae like binaural hearing, tell if scent fr left or right.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:51:14
  29. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Antenna is primary olfactory organ of moths. They hold them in an alert position when they fly.- J. Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:51:38
  30. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: What's not clear is how much they are using scent directional info in behavior.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:51:47
  31. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Can knock out input fr one antennae and moths behave more or less as should.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:52:06
  32. Our Google Hangout continues here! https://t.co/q2h2Fm6ka0 (sorry for the technical difficulties) https://t.co/UxHHAGBNPp
    Our Google Hangout continues here!  https://plus.google.com/events/ct2ndjbkd9pu0rc5dpog6e15svo … (sorry for the technical difficulties) pic.twitter.com/UxHHAGBNPp
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    ·
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 16:59:02
  33. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Amazing how much of olfactory system is conserved over evolutionary time.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:06:43
  34. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Olfactory odors made up of lg # compounds and we can detect millions of scents
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:09:18
  35. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Olfaction is very important for event-memory for Manduca sexta moths -J Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:22:29
  36. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Conjuring up scent more diff bc don't have descriptive language to categorize it
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:23:35
  37. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Dr. John Hildebrand also studies insects as vectors of disease, such as mosquitoes. #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/events/ct2ndjbkd9pu0rc5dpog6e15svo …
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:23:59
  38. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Mosquitoes cause more human deaths than any other creature on the planet.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:24:38
  39. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: So many diseases are vectored by mosquitoes, hence the high toll on health.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:25:20
  40. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    In most parts of world, toll on humans from mosquitoes spreading disease is enormous. -J. Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:27:23
  41. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    ohn Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Mentions rise of mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus  http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/ 
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:28:14
  42. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Also mentions kissing bugs and Chagas disease:  http://neurosci.arizona.edu/kissingbugs/basicfacts …
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:29:01
  43. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: Bug vectors have a much wider distribution bc of climate change and travel.
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:30:01
  44. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Scientific community confident that changes in distribution of mosquito-spread diseases may be due to #climatechange -J Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:31:12
  45. fenellasaunders
    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders
    John Hildebrand @UofA #AmSciGHO on insect brain and scents: We hv never fully controlled a single insect prob, so opps are huge for students
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:32:35
  46. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    #entomology has lots of opportunities because there are so many insects and so many issues connected to insects -J Hildebrand #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:33:56
  47. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    Students: follow your passion, don't do what you think you should, do what you want to do -J. Hildebrand #AmSciGHO #entomology
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:39:15
  48. AmSciMag
    American Scientist@AmSciMag
    This concludes our live tweets from today's hangout. Watch for recordings at  https://plus.google.com/events/cmlhoaoa7u8pvsblg5mrpufl32c … and  https://plus.google.com/events/ct2ndjbkd9pu0rc5dpog6e15svo … #AmSciGHO
    Fri, Nov 06 2015 17:38:36

For more on olfactory systems, see "Artificial Noses" by David R. Walt, Shannon E. Stitzel, and Matthew J. Aernecke.

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