pheromone

Everyday

1. A pheromone is a chemical that an animal gives off to send a message to others of its own kind, such as «follow me», «danger» or «I am looking for a mate». tree →
2. Pheromones are smelled or tasted by the other animals, not seen or heard. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on insects and communication: ants leave pheromone trails to food, bees release alarm pheromones, moths find mates by pheromones from far away. Farmers use pheromone traps to catch pests without spraying. Phrases: «pheromone trail», «alarm pheromone», «pheromone trap».

Examples

• Ants follow a pheromone trail from the nest to the crumbs. tree →
• When a bee stings, it releases an alarm pheromone that warns other bees. tree →
• A male moth can smell a female's pheromone from a long way away. tree →
• Farmers hang pheromone traps to catch pests. tree →
• Wipe the ants' path with soapy water and the pheromone trail is broken. tree →
• Scientists study pheromones to learn how animals talk without words. tree →
• Queen bees use pheromones to keep the hive working together. tree →

Note

Countable: a pheromone, pheromones. Spelled with «ph» at the start, said «FAIR-uh-mone». Myth: perfumes sold as «human pheromones» to make people fall in love have no good scientific proof.