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In this transgenic ant pupa surrounded by wild type pupae, expression of red fluorescent protein shows throughout the ant pupa body.
Spying on Transgenic Ants Reveals How Their Brains Respond to Alarm Odors
By successfully creating transgenic ants for the first time, researchers discovered that danger-signaling pheromones activate a sensory hub in the ants’ brains.
Spying on Transgenic Ants Reveals How Their Brains Respond to Alarm Odors
Spying on Transgenic Ants Reveals How Their Brains Respond to Alarm Odors

By successfully creating transgenic ants for the first time, researchers discovered that danger-signaling pheromones activate a sensory hub in the ants’ brains.

By successfully creating transgenic ants for the first time, researchers discovered that danger-signaling pheromones activate a sensory hub in the ants’ brains.

pheromones

A male tsetse fly smells a tsetse fly pheromone
Elusive Tsetse Pheromones
Danielle Gerhard, PhD | Jul 5, 2023 | 2 min read
Researchers discovered novel attractants that may improve Tsetse fly traps and help control disease spread.
man sitting outdoors
E.O. Wilson, Renowned Ant Researcher, Dies at 92
Chloe Tenn | Dec 27, 2021 | 3 min read
The naturalist was recognized for his work on social behavior and pheromones in ants and as a champion of wildlife conservation.
Cute sleeping newborn baby child on mother hands stock photo
Exposure to Chemical from Babies Linked to Aggression
Chloe Tenn | Nov 22, 2021 | 3 min read
A study finds that the odorless compound hexadecanal, or HEX, increases aggressive behavior in women but has a calming effect on men.
Drosophila eggs
Fruit Flies Hide Their Eggs in Plain View
Karl Gruber | Jun 1, 2019 | 2 min read
Chemical cues help Drosophila mask their eggs from predators.
Researchers Look to Sex Pheromones to Trap an Invasive Snake
Steve Graff | Jul 1, 2018 | 4 min read
The brown tree snake has wreaked havoc on the island of Guam, but one solution to the problem could lie in the serpent’s own physiology.
Do Human Pheromones Exist?
Diana Kwon | Jan 23, 2018 | 5 min read
Despite the prevalence of pheromone products on the market, substantial evidence that they can induce sexual attraction is lacking.
Image of the Day: Butterfly Wing Scents
The Scientist and The Scientist Staff | Nov 13, 2017 | 1 min read
In Heliconius butterflies, researchers discover the importance of a male wing structure in female choice. 
Insect Deploys Anti-Antiaphrodisiac
Shawna Williams | Oct 1, 2017 | 2 min read
Female plant bugs produce a compound to counter males’ attempts to render the females unattractive to other mates.
Image of the Day: Smells like Royalty
The Scientist | May 8, 2017 | 1 min read
Indian jumping ants, Harpegnathos saltator, can identify future queens based on a pheromone produced by the royal larvae.
How to Make a New Species
Ruth Williams | Jul 1, 2015 | 2 min read
Scientists mutate a mating pheromone and its corresponding receptor in yeast to promote speciation.
GM Wheat Fails in the Field
Amanda B. Keener | Jun 26, 2015 | 2 min read
A field trial of wheat genetically engineered to resist aphids fails to measure up to lab tests.
Behavior Brief
Jenny Rood | May 21, 2015 | 6 min read
A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research
Rat Odors Teach Fear
Kerry Grens | Jul 30, 2014 | 2 min read
Rodent pups can learn to fear a stimulus through the odor signals given by their mother.
Unraveling the Female Fruit Fly Mating Circuit
Kate Yandell | Jul 2, 2014 | 4 min read
Three teams identify different components of the female Drosophila nervous system that govern mating behaviors.
Fatty Pheromones
Rina Shaikh-Lesko | Jul 1, 2014 | 2 min read
A new class of pheromones, triacylglycerides, helps male fruit flies mark their mates to deter rivals.
Pheromone Factories
Kerry Grens | Feb 26, 2014 | 2 min read
Genetically modified tobacco plants produce pheromones that can trap pests.  
Lifespan Tied to Pheromones
Kerry Grens | Dec 2, 2013 | 2 min read
In worms and flies, the presence of the opposite sex can reduce longevity.
Week in Review: September 30–October 4
Tracy Vence | Oct 4, 2013 | 5 min read
Scientists feel the shutdown’s sting; dogs comprehend human cues; lab-grown secretory glands; whether online comments help or hurt science
Pheromone for the Young
Jef Akst | Oct 2, 2013 | 3 min read
Researchers identify a compound in juvenile mice that inhibits the sexual advances of adult males.
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