Combinatorial Olfactory Signaling in Short-Distance Determines Host Plant Recognition in Locust

Selecting palatable plants matters for insect herbivores’ survival, especially food-restricted oligophagous and monophagous species. However, the definite selection strategy to distinguish host from nonhost plants, as well underlying sensory basis, remains controversial. Here, we investigated olfactory recognition of in migratory locusts. By establishing one novel behavioral paradigm that allowed free-moving locusts make choices short-distance, demonstrated palps were required differentiate apart counterparts sensitively. Specifically, characteristic odors between plant defined differentiation food sources, this process intact palps. Further, single odor suppressed potency extraction, while attenuated repulsion plant. We also identified odorant receptors (ORs) repertoire modulated short-range key volatiles combinatorial signaling controls choice. Our results support a “pull–push” model which on locust acts tuning modulator recognition, expanding knowledge chemosensation.