Insect Chemoreception

Book excerpt: In this time of edited volumes when the list of individual contributors may reach double figures, it is appropriate to question the usefulness of a volume, with such a broad scope, by a single author. The answer is simple. For years he has believed that the rather sharp distinction between fundamental and applied aspects of this discipline, has ill-served the significance of each; and has diminished the incidence of fruitful synergies. Yet the need for these was never greater, and this case may be developed by a single author with experience of each aspect. The inclusion of a Chapter on Genetic Engineering may raise some doubts, but it is enabled by the chosen title “Chemoreception”, as distinct from Chemoperception: the latter implies detection of a chemical, followed by a behavioural response. But the former broader category subsumes Chemoperception and allows for the reception of a chemical toxin so potent as to prelude a behavioural or physiological response, other than death. Accordingly, chemical toxins are a legitimate inclusion. In which event, their delivery through a GM plant is as appropriate for study as their application in a spray.