[Objectives]  To identify plant volatiles that elicit an electroantennogram (EAG) response in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis in order to develop effective attractants for this pest. [Methods]  The olfactory sensitivity of C. medinalis to 43 graminaceous plant volatiles was tested using the EAG technique. [Results]  EAG responses of female and male C. medinalis to 50 000 μL/L (E)-2-Hexenal were 16.6 and 10.9 fold higher, respectively, than their responses to the control substance. The magnitude of the EAG response of males to 5 000 μL/L valeraldehyde was (7.347±1.582) mV, which was 2.6 times that of their response to the control. The EAG responses of males to 5 000 μL/L and 50 000 μL/L benzaldehyde were 2.0 and 2.4 times higher, respectively, than their response to the control. 50 μL/L and 500 μL/L methyl salicylate elicited EAG responses in males that were 65.2% and 72.1% higher, respectively, than those to the control. [Conclusion]  Four of the 43 graminaceous plant volatiles tested, (E)-2-Hexenal, valeraldehyde, benzaldehyde and methyl salicylate, elicited strong EAG responses in C. medinalis, and may therefore be useful as botanic attractants for this pest.