Application of intracellular recording and staining techniques in the morphological and physiological studies of honeybee brain neurons

Intracellular recording and staining is a key technique for investigating the morphology and function of neurons, playing an important role in elucidating how animal brain neurons encode environmental information. This review systematically summarizes the application of this technique in studies of neuronal morphology and physiological responses in the honeybee brain, providing a reference for related research in China. First, we outline its application in honeybee vision research, including the chromatic response properties of different receptor and interneurons to ultraviolet, blue, and green light; the types and response mechanisms of motion-direction-sensitive neurons in the visual system; and the structure and function of L-neurons in the ocelli. Second, we describe its use in studying honeybee mechanosensory vibration detection, which has identified several neuron types sensitive to vibration onset, offset, and duration. In particular, one class of neurons capable of accurately counting vibration pulses is considered critical for recognizing waggle dance duration. Finally, we summarize findings from analyses of local interneurons and projection neurons in the antennal lobe, highlighting their differential responses to odor stimuli and the coding strategies for odor mixtures. Although this technique offers high temporal and spatial resolution, its limitations include single-channel recording and low staining success rates. Future advances in imaging technologies and AI-based control may improve recording quality and stability, promoting its broader application in the functional study of insect neural networks.