The Science of Pheromones & Mating Disruption

Pheromones in Insects

Pheromones are chemical signals that insects use to communicate with each other. They are released into the air and can be detected by other insects over long distances. Pheromones are used for a variety of purposes, including mating, aggregation, alarm, and food sharing.

Mating & Pheromones

Mating pheromones are the most well-studied type of pheromone. They are released by female insects to attract males. Male insects have specialized receptors on their antennae that allow them to detect these pheromones. When a male insect detects a female's pheromone, he flies upwind until he finds her. This process is known as pheromone tracking.

Pheromones are highly species-specific, meaning that each insect species has its own unique pheromone signature. This helps to ensure that male insects are able to find and mate with females of their own species.

Pheromones play a critical role in insect reproduction. By attracting males, pheromones help to ensure that insects are able to find mates and reproduce. This is essential for the survival of insect populations.

Mating Disruption & Competitive Masking:

Mating disruption is a pest control technique that uses synthetic pheromones to interfere with the mating behaviour of insects. This prevents them from reproducing and reduces their population over time.

Mating disruption works by interfering with pheromone tracking. Synthetic pheromones are released into the environment at high levels, which confuses the male insects. They are unable to distinguish between the synthetic pheromones and the pheromones released by real females. As a result, they have difficulty finding mates and the pest population decreases.

Mating disruption is a safe and effective way to control insect pests. It is non-lethal and species-specific, meaning that it does not harm beneficial insects. It is also compatible with other pest control methods, such as biological control and cultural control.

Mating disruption is used to control a wide range of insect pests, including moths, butterflies, beetles, and flies. It is used to protect a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains.