Chemoreception is a key feature in selection of host plants by insects. In this study, preliminary characterization and isolation of cDNA clones from Cnaphalocrocis medinalis antennal libraries identified eight olfactory genes, including two putative general odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs), three pheromone binding proteins (PBPs) and three chemosensory proteins (CSPs). The expression profiles of these eight genes in different tissues (antenna, head (without antennae), thorax, abdomen, leg and wing) were measured by real time qPCR. The results showed that GOBP and PBP genes in C medinalis seemed to be antenna-specific, but differentially expressed in male and female antennae; while CSP genes were expressed ubiquitously during different developmental stages, but with an extremely elevated transcript level in antennae, legs and wings compared to head, thorax and abdomen. And also, the transcription levels of olfactory genes depended on the age, sex, and mating status of the adults. These findings support the hypothesis that OBPs and CSPs play dynamic roles during development of C medinalis and are likely to be involved in broader physiological functions. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.