Question

Do pheromones and alarm odors of the aggregated species are likely similar, acting to attract or deter other species of arthropods that are searching for shelter? If there a specific example of insects using these methods to form mixed-species groups?

Answer 1

Pheromones are chemical signals that have evolved for communication between members of the same species. A pheromone signal elicits a specific reaction in the receiver, for example, a stereotyped behavior (releaser effect) or a developmental process (primer effect). Some pheromones can have both effects. All sorts of molecules, large and small, have been found acting as pheromones, depending on whether the message is sent out on wind or water currents or placed directly on the nose or antenna of the recipient.