Extending the capabilities of an antenna/chip biosensor by employing various insect species

Because of their remarkable sensory abilities, insect antennae are very suitable for the construction of highly sensitive biosensors. Odour concentrations down to the low ppb range can easily be detected by means of an antenna/field-effect transistor (FET) junction. In this work, we present measurements performed with different kinds of beetles, namely the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) and the steelblue jewel beetle (Phaenops cyanea). Their ability to specifically detect organic odour molecules, like 1-octen or guaiacol, at concentrations down to the ppb range can lead to interesting applications like the detection of different kinds of fires at an early stage.