What is a pheromone in insects?
Quick Answer
A pheromone is a chemical signal insects use to communicate with others of their own species. It can help with mating, alarm, trail-following, and colony organization.
The Full Story
Pheromones are chemicals released by insects to influence the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species. Ants use trail pheromones to guide nestmates to food, while many moths use sex pheromones to attract mates over long distances. Bees also use pheromone signals inside the hive to coordinate activity and alert workers to threats. Because insects rely heavily on smell and chemical sensing, pheromones are central to their communication systems. The term pheromone was introduced in 1959 by scientists Peter Karlson and Martin Lüscher.
Key Facts
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"The secret chemical language of insects"
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