Page 27 - Engineering in Nature

Harun Yahya

CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION AMONG INSECTS:
PHEROMONES
Even if they travel great distances away, ants never fail to find their
way back to their nests, nor bees the way to their hives. When danger
threatens some insect larvae, they immediately come together for
protection. At mating time, male and female insects of all species can
easily find each other, even at considerable distances. These forms of
behavior all take place thanks to communication between individu-
als.
To communicate, many creatures use signals of one kind or an-
other. The ones used by insects are known as pheromones¸ chemical
substances used among members of the same species. They are gener-
ally produced in special glands and emitted into the surrounding
area, causing changes in insect behavior.
The word itself means "hormone bearers." Indeed, pheromones
were once regarded as the equivalent of hormones. Like hormones,
they are emitted in small quantities (albeit outside the body) and are

responsible for performing a vital function. Pheromones are generally
unique to a particular species. There are also some that perform very
different functions and in different combinations. Pheromones have a
high level of dispersal, and can have an effect from a distance as much
as 7-8 km (4-5 miles), with such factors as distance, heat, wind and
humidity reducing or increasing their effects.
Pheromones are used for such purposes as sign-leaving, sounding
an alarm, gathering members together, for the raising of queens
among communal insects, or to control the development of sexual
maturity. There are also sex pheromones that work by means of scent.

Adnan Oktar
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