Functional aspects of Pheromones

Pheromones are organic substances produced by an animal or plant which changes the behaviour of the same or other animal belonging to same species or opposite sex. In the case of plants pheromones are produced to attract or repel insectsor animals. Pheromones are synthesized in particular organ or group of cells locally and released outside the body. Their site of action is on neighbouring cells, organs or animals. Pheromones identified or synthesized chemically play many roles and are commercially exploited in many functional aspects. In most of the cases pheromones are chemical ligands or small peptides attached to a chemical ligand having specificity towards a particular receptor.

Pheromones have been utilized for forest protection or insects control involved in the deforestation. In the pacific northwest of USA Douglas fir beetle is a menace and due to its bark boring nature many tree species like Douglasfir, Pseudotsuga menziesii have been extensively died. A pheromone named methylcyclohexenone (MCH) (3-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one) has been utilized for segregation and killing of the Douglas fir beetle.