Queen pheromones

Definition

Chemical signals produced by queen insects, primarily in social insect species, that regulate various aspects of colony behavior and function.

Etymology

From 'queen' and 'pheromone'.

Example

Queen pheromones in honey bees regulate worker behavior, including nestmate recognition, division of labor, and queen acceptance.

Related Terms

• Social insects
• Colony organization
• Reproductive control
• Nestmate recognition
• Worker behavior

Usage Notes

Queen pheromones are often complex mixtures of compounds, and their specific functions can vary between species.