The aggregation pheromones of insects

Aggregation pheromones are important semiochemicals in insects that play a key role in mating and other social behavior. Many chemicals, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, acids, anhydrides, amines, and nitriles, have been identified as insect aggregation pheromones, however, understanding of their potential utility in pest management is still limited. Aggregation pheromones have been found in eggs, larvae and adults, however, some volatiles from host plants have been regarded as pheromone components. Aggregation pheromones of the same species in different stages of the life cycle can be distinct, and the same semiochemical may induce different behavior in different developmental stages or physical states. Nevertheless, the aggregation of insects can be regulated by semiochemicals such as kairomone, sex pheromone and alarm pheromone. Understanding of insect aggregation pheromones is still inadequate and determining the precise function of these chemicals requires further research.