Chapter 31, Problem 16STP

Summary Introduction

To write: The advantages and disadvantages of the behavior of insects for attracting the mates.

Introduction: Pheromones are chemical hormones released by the secretion of individual that impact the behavior of the receiving individual. The two individual are actively involved in sexual attraction as they detect the presence of their mate through smell of pheromone secreted with sweat or saliva.

Explanation of Solution

The certain insect uses pheromones to attract mates. These insects are most active during the day. Some pheromones are not very specific and affect other species when they are released. Organisms transmit pheromones and that gets changed later from one chemical message to the other.

Advantages of Pheromones:

1. Pheromones help in communication.
2. Finding food
3. Attracting mates
4. Different pheromones got different functions.

Disadvantages of pheromones:

1. Slow chemical communication and late change of one chemical to another.
2. No amplitude and frequency in the transfer of pheromones.

Conclusion

Though Pheromones got many advantages but still they have some disadvantages. Pheromones in insects are mostly important for them to further grow their family as they cannot find their mate at a long distance without it. So, for the process of reproduction in some insects pheromone does play an important role.