Pheromones are substances that serve as chemical signals between members of
the same species. They are secreted to the outside of the body and cause other
individuals of the species to have specific reactions. Pheromones, which are sometimes
called "social hormones," affect a group of individuals somewhat like hormones do an
individual animal. Pheromones are the predominant medium of communication among
insects (but rarely the sole method). Some species have simple pheromone systems and
produce only a few pheromones, but others produce many with various functions.
Pheromone systems are the most complex in some of the so-called social insects, insects
that live in organized groups.
Chemical communication differs from that by sight or sound in several ways.
Transmission is relatively slow (the chemical signals are usually airborne), but the signal
can be persistent, depending upon the volatility of the chemical, and is sometimes
effective over a very long range. Localization of the signal is generally poorer than
localization of a sound or visual stimulus and is usually effected by the animal's moving
upwind in response to the stimulus. The ability to modulate a chemical signal is limited,
compared with communication by visual or acoustic means, but some pheromones
may convey different meanings and consequently result in different behavioral or
physiological responses, depending on their concentration or when presented in
combination. The modulation of chemical signals occurs via the elaboration of the
number of exocrineglands that produce pheromones. Some species, such as ants, seem
to be very articulate creatures, but their medium of communication is difficult for
humans to study and appreciate because of our own olfactory, insensitivity and the
technological difficulties in detecting and analyzing these pheromones.
Pheromones play numerous roles in the activities of insects. They may act as
alarm substances, play a role in individual and group recognition, serve as attractants
between sexes, mediate the formation of aggregations, identify foraging trails, and be
involved in caste determination. For example, pheromones involved in caste
determination include the "queen substance" produced by queen honey bees. Aphids,
which are particularly vulnerable to predators because of their gregarious habits and
sedentary nature, secrete an alarm pheromone when attacked that causes nearby aphids
to respond by moving away
Pheromones are substances that serve as chemical signals between members ofthe same species. They are secreted to the outside of the body and cause otherindividuals of the species to have specific reactions. Pheromones, which are sometimescalled "social hormones," affect a group of individuals somewhat like hormones do anindividual animal. Pheromones are the predominant medium of communication amonginsects (but rarely the sole method). Some species have simple pheromone systems andproduce only a few pheromones, but others produce many with various functions.Pheromone systems are the most complex in some of the so-called social insects, insectsthat live in organized groups. Chemical communication differs from that by sight or sound in several ways.Transmission is relatively slow (the chemical signals are usually airborne), but the signalcan be persistent, depending upon the volatility of the chemical, and is sometimeseffective over a very long range. Localization of the signal is generally poorer thanlocalization of a sound or visual stimulus and is usually effected by the animal's movingupwind in response to the stimulus. The ability to modulate a chemical signal is limited,compared with communication by visual or acoustic means, but some pheromonesmay convey different meanings and consequently result in different behavioral orphysiological responses, depending on their concentration or when presented incombination. The modulation of chemical signals occurs via the elaboration of the
number of exocrineglands that produce pheromones. Some species, such as ants, seem
to be very articulate creatures, but their medium of communication is difficult for
humans to study and appreciate because of our own olfactory, insensitivity and the
technological difficulties in detecting and analyzing these pheromones.
Pheromones play numerous roles in the activities of insects. They may act as
alarm substances, play a role in individual and group recognition, serve as attractants
between sexes, mediate the formation of aggregations, identify foraging trails, and be
involved in caste determination. For example, pheromones involved in caste
determination include the "queen substance" produced by queen honey bees. Aphids,
which are particularly vulnerable to predators because of their gregarious habits and
sedentary nature, secrete an alarm pheromone when attacked that causes nearby aphids
to respond by moving away
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