Aggregation pheromone
- Pronunciation
- /ag-reg-a-TAY-shun fer-MOH-ohn/
- Category
- Chemical Communication
- Singular
- Aggregation pheromone
- Plural
- Aggregation pheromones
Definition
Chemical signals emitted by insects to attract other individuals of both sexes to a common location for feeding, mating, and/or social interactions.
Etymology
From Latin 'aggregatio', meaning 'gathering' or 'assembly', and 'pheromone'.
Example
Aggregation pheromones are used to attract both sexes of certain beetle species to a common location for feeding.
Related Terms
- Sex pheromone
- Kairomone
- Social behavior
- Feeding
Usage Notes
Aggregation pheromones often play a role in finding suitable food sources and mates, as well as establishing social hierarchies within insect communities.