Conspecific olfactory signals: contextual behavioral responses in migratory locusts and fruit flies

This thesis investigates the role of conspecific olfactory signals in insect communication, focusing on the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) and the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). Insects rely heavily on chemical cues to guide social interactions, yet the ecological relevance and underlying mechanisms often remain unclear. Here, behavioral, chemical, and electrophysiological approaches were combined to uncover how these species detect and respond to conspecific odors.