Monitoring the electrophysiological response 
of insect antennae to various odors will un- 
doubtedly yield considerable information. A 
suitably wired American cockroach exposed 
to its sex attractant gives on an oscilloscope 
a characteristic signal called an antenno- 
gram (24), The gypsy moth antenna likewise 
gives a characteristic antennogram in re- 
sponse to its sex lure. Here we may have a 
fine tool for finding a chemical that will 
block the reception of the insect to its own 
sex attractant. By exposing a chemical and 
subsequently the natural sex lure, it may be 
possible to determine whether the chemical 
will block the response to the sex lure. It 
would probably be most fruitful to test 
compounds that are similar to the natural 
lure first. The compound that inhibits the 
action of the sex lure at the lowest concentra- 
tion would probably be the most desirable, 
but it would have to be stable and readily 
available if it is to be useful in large-scale 
confusion tests. 
The great amount of work and expense in- 
volved in isolating and identifying natural 
and synthetic attractants have been one of 
the most discouraging aspects of this type of 
research. If we find a potent lure, itis usually 
useful for only one species. Contrast this 
effort with the search for an insecticide, 
which is usually selected to combat as broad 
a spectrum of insects as possible. However, 
if we consider that the attractant, once found 
and properly used (25), is available for all 
future time, or that it may provide a means 
of safe pest control, the search is most de- 
cidedly worthwhile, Furthermore, we expect 
Our tasks to become simpler as we gather 
experience in this new field. 
Because knowledge of odor chemistry and 
biology can be most helpful in insect control, 
we can no longer leave this important field 
to a few dedicated scientists. Within the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, steps initiated 
several years ago are being taken to explore 
odor phenomena of all types in depth. Funda- 
mental and basic studies will be undertaken 
in a new laboratory to be built at Gainesville, 
Fla. The laboratory will be staffed with about 
80 scientists and assistants. Entomologists, 
chemists, biochemists, physiologists, engi- 
neers, and various other disciplines will be 
represented. Their scope will extend from 
39 
gross morphology to cytology, from stimulus 
to electrophysiological and behavioral re- 
sponses, from secretory organs to sensing 
mechanisms; the entire physiological process 
will be scrutinized. They will study oviposi- 
tion and feeding stimulants; chemicals from 
insects; and chemicals from plants, especially 
those that draw insects to our mutual food 
supply. Odorous chemicals involved in vital 
life processes of insects will be investigated. 
Odor threshold values, metabolism of receptor 
and transmission organs, odor synergism and 
antagonism, chemical structure versus odor 
and attraction can be studied; radiolabeling 
of odors may be useful. 
In reading the literature one is soon struck 
by the frequent reference to our lack of 
knowledge of the olfactory process. Insects 
are excellent animals on which to develop 
our knowledge, Their organs of smell, usually 
located on the antennae, are not complex and 
are nicely exposed, The reactions of these 
simple and readily available creatures are 
likely to be automatic (26). Now consider the 
olfactory processes of the mammal. The re- 
ceptor organs are complicated and difficult 
to get at (27). The response of a mammal is 
not likely to be automatic, but affected in- 
stead by its ability to learn, so that past 
experiences, pleasurable or otherwise, will 
affect the response (28). With our present 
knowledge of olfaction it is best that we start 
with a simple organism, such as the insect. 
Knowledge gained from these creatures may be 
useful in learning about our own olfactory 
apparatus, because knowledge of a small part 
can contribute to the understanding of the 
whole, 
Whether the particular ideas or correlations 
suggested are useful or not, we can approach 
the truth by experimentation on these very 
simple beings. When enough data are developed, 
theories will be forthcoming and experimental 
criteria devised to test the theories. Such a 
course should promote progress in the field 
of odor chemistry. 
Let me hasten to add that insect attractants 
will not solve all our pest-control problems, 
or even a major part of them, but they will 
undoubtedly become an important means of 
destroying our insect competitors safely. 
Attractants, as they are found, will help make 
all other forms of pest control more efficient. 
