Abstract  Taste perception plays an important role in insect feeding and oviposition preferences. Gustatory receptors (GRs) are expressed in the dendrites of insect gustatory sensory neurons. Many compounds induce the taste responses of insects, which are expressed behaviorally as either preference or aversion. These gustatory responses may change under selection pressure. This paper introduces new techniques and methods for studying the function of insect GRs, and reviews progress in research on the functional analysis of sugar GRs and bitter GRs. It also discusses the potential application of feeding, or oviposition, deterrents and stimulants in pest control. Better understanding of the taste sensing mechanisms of insects can not only help develop new insect behavioral modulators and design new insecticides targeting GRs, but also has application for the management of insect behavioral resistance, the rational planning of cropping systems and the development of insect-resistant crops.