By Jessica N King
Pheromones can be described as a chemical substance that is usually secreted by animals of the same species. Its main purpose is to influence the behavior of organisms in the same species. Examples include food trail and sex pheromones. In some animals like vertebrates, they not only influence others' physiology but they also use them to communicate. There are several types of pheromones and some of them include:
Aggregation pheromones, which are used for defense reasons, if attacked by a predator, selecting a mate and generally helps one overcome a mass attack forged against them. These kind of pheromones have been found in Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera (these are species of insects) members. They are effective in low concentrations and are said to be among the most used methods when it comes to pest suppression.
The next type is the alarm pheromones, which are very helpful in triggering either aggression or escape, depending on the insect, animal or plant. When this substance is released, it warns the subject that an attack is eminent. Therefore, it reacts accordingly in an effort to drive the attacker away. A good example is that of bees or ants, if you disturb them in any way, they will react aggressively, signs that the alarm pheromone substance is at work.
Then there are the Releaser pheromones that usually do the work of attracting mates from a very long distance of more than two miles. It has an effect on the recipient causing them to move towards the direction of the 'signal'. The responses are usually big but the strength of substance goes down fast.
There is another type called territorial pheromones, which as the name suggests, are meant to show the territorial boundaries of an organism. For instance, in animals, like dogs and cats, it is found in urine. They use it to mark the perimeters of their territory in order to keep intruders away.
These are just a few of the pheromone hormones that are found in almost all species of plants, animals and insects.
Aggregation pheromones, which are used for defense reasons, if attacked by a predator, selecting a mate and generally helps one overcome a mass attack forged against them. These kind of pheromones have been found in Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera (these are species of insects) members. They are effective in low concentrations and are said to be among the most used methods when it comes to pest suppression.
The next type is the alarm pheromones, which are very helpful in triggering either aggression or escape, depending on the insect, animal or plant. When this substance is released, it warns the subject that an attack is eminent. Therefore, it reacts accordingly in an effort to drive the attacker away. A good example is that of bees or ants, if you disturb them in any way, they will react aggressively, signs that the alarm pheromone substance is at work.
Then there are the Releaser pheromones that usually do the work of attracting mates from a very long distance of more than two miles. It has an effect on the recipient causing them to move towards the direction of the 'signal'. The responses are usually big but the strength of substance goes down fast.
There is another type called territorial pheromones, which as the name suggests, are meant to show the territorial boundaries of an organism. For instance, in animals, like dogs and cats, it is found in urine. They use it to mark the perimeters of their territory in order to keep intruders away.
These are just a few of the pheromone hormones that are found in almost all species of plants, animals and insects.
