A team of scientists from INRAE, working with researchers from Université Côte d'Azur in France and Nanjing Agricultural University in China, has created a new method using artificial intelligence to identify the sex pheromone of the lily moth (Spodoptera picta) and the receptors that detect it. Their findings, published in the journal BMC Biology, are part of a research program called EXPLOR'AE. The lily moth, known for its caterpillars that feed on plants, is found in parts of Asia and Oceania. This method could help identify pheromones in other insect species, which are important in biocontrol strategies used to protect crops, especially in France. Traditionally, identifying pheromones involves capturing live insects, knowing when they release pheromones, and testing many chemical compounds to see if they attract the insects. Instead, the researchers focused on the insect’s olfactory receptors—structures that detect smells—by analyzing the moth’s genes. They used computer models to predict the shape of these receptors and tested them against different chemical molecules to see which might bind to them. This process helped them identify a likely pheromone and its corresponding receptors. The team then confirmed their findings using a combination of electrical, chemical, and behavioral experiments. Using the moth’s genetic data and comparing it to related species, the scientists identified two possible receptors. They used artificial intelligence to predict the three-dimensional shapes of these receptors and applied a technique called molecular docking, which simulates how molecules interact, to test volatile compounds. They then experimentally tested the receptors with the predicted molecules and found that they could detect these compounds. Further tests using physical and electrical methods confirmed that female moths produce the pheromone, known as (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate, and that males can detect it. Behavioral experiments showed that this pheromone attracts male moths and triggers mating behavior. The lily moth is not considered a major pest in mainland France, where it is not commonly found. However, it is a significant problem in private gardens, public parks, and botanical gardens, especially in areas with strict regulations on the use of chemical pesticides. This research shows that pheromone-based methods could be used to control the moth. The study’s main contribution is proving that this method can be used to identify receptor-pheromone pairs in insects. This could greatly speed up the discovery of sex pheromones in other insect species, including those that are currently or potentially harmful to crops. Understanding the chemical makeup of these pheromones can also provide insights into how species evolve and remain distinct, as pheromones act like unique chemical signatures for each species.