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However, despite its increasing relevance in research, detailed protocols for brain dissection in this species remain limited. This protocol provides step-by-step guidance for opening the head capsule of M. sexta and excising the brain. It visually guides the reader using annotated diagrams highlighting key anatomical landmarks, along with microscope images illustrating each major dissection step. Troubleshooting tips and suggested strategies for addressing dissection complications are included to help readers improve their technique. In addition, the protocol emphasizes precise removal of nonneural tissues, including trachea, which is particularly important for downstream applications that require high-quality, brain-specific nucleic acids and proteins. Although this protocol was specifically designed for M. sexta, it may also serve as a useful guide for brain dissections in closely related species.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1093\/jisesa\/ieag002","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,11]],"date-time":"2026-01-11T12:33:23Z","timestamp":1768134803000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Protocol for dissecting and excising the brain of the\n                    <i>Manduca sexta<\/i>\n                    (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) moth"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"26","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-6823-9069","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sarah","family":"Frankenberg","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH,","place":["USA"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nidhi","family":"Byragoni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH,","place":["USA"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-9497-7230","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Angela R","family":"Dixon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH,","place":["USA"]},{"name":"Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland, OH,","place":["USA"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026032500150639800_ieag002-B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"535","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.021220","article-title":"Interaction of visual and odour cues in the mushroom body of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta","volume":"212","author":"Balkenius","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. 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