Y-tube olfactometer

Insects communicate with each other and perceive their environment through a combination of visual, tactile and olfactory cues.  Behavioral responses to these cues can be identified and exploited to disrupt mating, find repellents, divert to alternate hosts, etc. At Weslaco, we are evaluating pheromone traps, variable-colored sticky traps, and olfactory responses of insect pests to plant volatiles. A laboratory Y-tube olfactometer is available to perform research into insect responses to volatiles.