Page 34 - Engineering in Nature

Engineering in Nature

own abode out of hundreds. Moreover, this scent al-
lows sentry bees guarding the hive's entrance to
recognize their fellows. As we have seen, these tiny
bees have a capacity for scent recognition and distinc-

tion far beyond that of any human nose. 10

• Imitation Pheromones
Startlingly, some living things are able to imitate the phe-
romones used by others! For instance, some plants
make use of insects' sensitivity to pheromones and

produce similar substances to deceive them.
In addition, pheromones ensure the continua-
tion of species. The wings of Central America's
"Florida Queen" butterfly bear a close resem-
blance in color
and design to those of an-
other species. Sometimes
these two species are de-
ceived by each others' colors
when looking for mates, but
males recognize females of
their own species by their
scents. In order to make
it easier for males to de-
tect her pheromone, the female
uses her wings like a fan, waft-
ing her scent towards a likely
mate. The survival of the species

is thus guaranteed. 11

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