Wondered what a pheromone is?Discover what a pheromone is and how it acts to influence behavior. We Know: All About PheromonesWhat is a pheromone?Pheromones are chemical signals released by different glands in the body that communicate and influence social behaviors to members within a species. Insects and vertebrates release pheromones. Pheromones communicate warnings of danger, locations of food sources, mating signals, markings of territory, and synchronizing of menstrual cycle. In humans, the male pheromone is called androstenone and the female pheromone is called copulin. Are there synthetic pheromones that humans can use to attract members of the opposite sex? Synthetic pheromones are used as aphrodisiacs in perfumes and colognes. The effectiveness of these products have not been scientifically proven. What are the components of pheromones? Pheromones consist of a carbon backbone of between five to twenty carbon molecules and combinations of acetates and aldehydes molecules. The molecular weights fall in the range of 80 to 300. Structurally, pheromones look like fatty acids. Each species emits a different blend of these chemical compounds to elicit the desired behaviors. How are pheromones detected? Insects detect pheromones with antennae. Pheromones are detected in vertebrates by the vomeronasal organ (VNO), a piece of tissue in the nasal cavity that acts as a receptor. What are the types of pheromones and their mechanisms of action? The two types of pheromones are releaser pheromones and primer pheromones. What are practical uses of pheromones? Synthetic pheromones are created from modified forms of natural pheromones and are used in pest control for: