Mid-infrared spectroscopy for entomological purposes: A review

Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) is a well-established technique in the field of chemical analysis. Although it has been applied to problems in the entomological field for over 65 years, MIRS typically remains underutilised in this discipline. Potential applications of MIRS include profiling of cuticular hydrocarbons, taxonomic discrimination between cryptic species, sex discrimination, age prediction, detection of endosymbionts such as Wolbachia, and characterisation of the surface chemistry of insect body parts and products. The number of potential applications is expected to continue rising rapidly as MIR technology advances and it is adopted by more members of the entomological community.