ScienceAugust 18, 2026

pheromones

FER-uh-moanz

Definition

Chemical substances released by an animal, especially into the environment, that affect the behavior or physiology of other members of the same species.

Etymology

Coined in 1959 by Peter Karlson and Martin Lüscher, the term combines the Greek 'pherein' (to carry or bear) and 'hormone', referring to substances that 'carry' a signal between organisms.

In the news

The article explains that the beetle likely used its highly developed antennae to sense pheromones in the air to locate potential mates. This suggests the insect relied on chemical communication alongside its light-emitting organs.

100-Million-Year-Old Beetle Preserved In Amber Has A Structure That Scientists Have Never Seen Before In Any Animal Living Or Extinct

Read the full article ↗

IFLScience

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