Insect Pheromones Notes

Insect Pheromones
▪ Pheromone is a chemical or mixture of chemicals that is released externally

from one organism and that induces a response by another individual of the
same species.
▪ These are chemical signals released externally by exocrine glands in
insects.
▪ Pheromones are actually the chemical signals which tell about food, nest
sites, suitable mate, prey, predator. Insect cannot think i.e. chemical senses
like smell and taste are important to them and they influence the behavior
of individual belonging to the same species.
▪ They are derived from fatty acids, terpene derivatives.
▪ Each pheromone has precise length of molecule, each of which has definite
geometry. A pheromone conveys a message for which different chemicals
are used in different proportions. They are active within certain area called
as active space. Pheromone must stand out and convey an unambiguous
message. Unique and bigger molecule conveys clear message. But
requirement of volatility restricts pheromones to simple molecular
structure of 20 carbons or less.
▪ Insects can also secrete inhibitors to mask the effect of pheromones.
▪ It is not a single component system but it is a multicomponent system.
▪ Classification- On the basis of type of activity, they are classified into
1. Sex pheromones- They are emitted for the purpose of mating. They convey
the message of particular mate.
e.g. Bombykol is a sex pheromone of silkworm female moth which
conveys message to the male moth for mating.
2. Aggregation pheromones- They convey message of assembling at a
particular place especially for food or nest sites, also for mutual protection
and mating.
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e.g. Brevicomin is an aggregation multicomponent pheromone of western
pine beetle.
Gossyplure- is the pheromone of female ballworm moth which is cotton
pest.
3. Alarm pheromones- They convey the message of presence of predator in
the surrounding for warning other members of the danger.
e.g. in Aphids.
Pheromones also exist in plants. Certain plants emit alarm pheromones
when grazed upon, resulting in tannin production in neighbouring plants.
These tannins make the plant less appetizing for the herbivore.
4. Trail making pheromones- These pheromones convey a particular path for
other insects of the same species i.e. forming a chemical trail. For example-
ants mark their paths with pheromones consisting of volatile hydrocarbons.
Certain ants lay down an initial trail of pheromones as they return to the
nest with food. This trail attracts other ants and serves as a guide. As long
as the food source remains available, visiting ants will continuously renew
the pheromone trail. The pheromone requires continuous renewal because
it evaporates quickly. When the food supply begins to dwindle, the trail-
making ceases.
5. Releaser pheromones- Releaser pheromones are pheromones that cause an
alteration in the behaviour of the recipient e.g. some organisms use
powerful attractant molecules to attract mates from a distance of two miles
or more. In general, this type of pheromone elicits a rapid response, but is
quickly degraded.
6. Primer pheromones- Primer pheromones trigger a change of
developmental events (in which they differ from all the other pheromones,
which trigger a change in behaviour). A primer pheromone has a slower
onset and a longer duration. For example, rabbit (mothers) release
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mammary pheromones that trigger immediate nursing behaviour by their
babies.
7. Territorial pheromones- Laid down in the environment, territorial
pheromones mark the boundaries and identity of an organism's territory. In
cats and dogs, these hormones are present in the urine, which they deposit
on landmarks serving to mark the perimeter of the claimed territory. In
social seabirds, the preen gland is used to mark nests, nuptial gifts, and
territory boundaries with behaviour formerly described as 'displacement
activity'.
On the basis of structure they are classified as alkanes, alkenes, dienes,

aldehydes, ketones, terpenoids, heterocycles and pheromones with trans
molecular ketal arrangement.
1. Bombykol- a sex pheromone of silkworm moth which is a long chain
unsaturated fatty alcohol.
2. Brevicomin- aggregation multicomponent pheromone of western pine
beetle which is a terpene derivative.
3. Grandisol- is a cycloalkane derivative.
4. Gossyplure- pheromone of female ballworm moth- a cotton pest- is a fatty
acid derivative.
Each species has a precise blend of molecules each of which has well-
defined geometry. Insects can discriminate between molecular shapes as
well as between optical isomers.
Importance in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

▪ IPM may be defined as an approach in which all available techniques are
evaluated and mixed into a unified program to
i. manage pest population economically
ii. so as to avoid undue side effects on the environment
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▪ There has been recently an increase in insect pheromone chemistry,
because of their chemical and biological interest as well as their potential
as aids in control of specific destructive pests.
▪ Insects depend on their senses of smell for their survival. Pheromones
occupy some space called active space within which other insects respond.
On the basis two main strategies followed are
i. Stimulation of normal approach response of insects to trap them
ii. Disruption of normal chemical communication between the insect so as to
manipulate their behaviour to our advantage.
▪ Pheromones baited traps have potential uses in IPM. Pheromone traps are
effective and detecting low density of pests, quite specific, economical to
use, easy to handle and thus best sampling method. These methods are not
for individual farmer but used over large areas to eradicate rather than
control.
▪ In recent years, both the strategies have a high level operational success.
They are exceedingly used with promising results and are also economical
and avoid pollution.
Use of different pheromones in IPM

1. Antisex pheromones- These block signals to prevent mating or cause
overloading within larvae. Sexual behavior may be stimulated to trap
insects.
2. Systematic pheromones- These in high concentration cause disturbance in
normal communication system and the species get disturbed.
3. Alarm and Trail pheromones- These disrupt the normal pest behavior
confusing them and leading to their adverse condition.
4. Oviposition deterring pheromones- They keep away female insects from
depositing eggs on fruits. This protects the fruits and crops.
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5. Aggregation and anti-aggregation pheromones- These are used to protect a
particular tree from attack, to trap insects (aggregation) or to collect
parasites for biological control of pests. The use of parasite for biological
control of insect pest is well known technique, for this purpose pheromones
are very effective for identifying, collecting useful parasite for host pest.
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Synthesis of Bombykol
Synthesis of Disparlure
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Synthesis of Grandisol
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Insect Pheromones Notes

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Insect Pheromones

▪ Pheromone is a chemical or mixture of chemicals that is released externally

On the basis of structure they are classified as alkanes, alkenes, dienes,

Importance in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Use of different pheromones in IPM

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