A drone geared up with an antenna from a male moth can find the supply of a scent extra precisely than any electrical sensors. Sadly, nevertheless, the one scent it might probably detect is the intercourse pheromone emitted by feminine moths.

Electrical sensors for odours are generally used to detect gasoline leaks, however these are comparatively gradual to react to smells and even slower to reset between measurements, says Daigo Terutsuki at Shinshu College, Japan. “It’s very tough to use that to…