The sensitive sensory systems of insects, like those of other animals, are essential for regulating behavioral responses and physiological activities. Insects use a variety of receptors expressed on the dendritic membrane of sensory neurons to convert sensory signals from the outside world into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the brain and processed by integration to elicit the corresponding behavioral responses. Currently, the most studied receptors on the dendritic membrane of sensory neurons are odorant (ORs), and gustatory, receptors (GRs). However, researchers have used bioinformatics analysis to identify a new family of receptor genes, ionotropic receptors (IRs), from the genome of the model insect Drosophila melanogaster. IRs are derived from ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). In recent years, researchers have made important progress in the functional study of ionotropic receptors using gene knockout, ectopic expression and in vitro expression, combined with electrophysiological recording. Studies have shown that ionotropic receptors are involved in a variety of sensory processes, including olfaction, taste and sensitivity to temperature and humidity. This paper summarizes the discovery, identification and location of IRs, as well as the latest progress in research on these genes, to provide new ideas and methods for studying the function of such receptors in non-model insects, especially agricultural pests. These studies provide a theoretical basis for developing new pest control methods.