Pheromones

Pheromones are considered to be part of chemical ecology, which is the study of interactions of organisms within their environment mediated by the chemicals they produce.  Pheromones are a method by which insects are able to communicate and interact.  There are many different types of pheromones, such as sex attractants, aggregation, alarm, abstinones, and epideictic pheromones.  Mammalian pheromones also exist, but proof of human pheromones does not currently exist.  

 

Select Pheromones

The Redbanded Leafroller is an insect that feeds on apples.  

      

 

The virgin female bark beetle feeds on elm to produce the following two chemicals to attract males.

 

                                 

 

 

Do your cats ever go crazy over nepatalactone (aka catnip)?

 

    

 

 

Pheromone Links

Pheromones and Mammals

The Pherolist

More on Pheromones

Use of Pheromones to Control Insect Population

 

 

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