ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the neuronal mechanisms that underlie the cognitive processes and describes Both peripheral detection mechanisms of flower molecules and central representation and coding of this information. Nectar-foraging insects, like honeybees and moths, use olfactory cues emitted by flowers to find the food source. Nectar-foraging insects are likely exposed to a very wide range of odor concentrations. Small amounts of flower molecules have to be recognized when trying to locate a source from a long distance. Floral scent is composed of a wide variety of molecules. These compounds are detected by lfactory receptor neurons (ORN) mainly located on the antennae. The antennal lobe (AL) consists of spheroidal neuropilar structures—glomeruli—where synaptic contacts between ORN axons and AL interneurons take place. The identity of floral compounds is represented as unique combinations of activated glomeruli. These activity patterns depend on the odor identity and the odor abundance. Molecules in a blend are generally not linearly represented.
