Insect pheromones: a tool in agriculture pest research

Abstract Insect pheromones, chemical signals produced by the insects for communication, have emerged as a crucial tool in agricultural pest management. These naturally occurring substances perform a vital role in the mating, foraging, and territorial behaviors, making them invaluable for monitoring and controlling pest populations. The uses of insect pheromones in agriculture are examined in this review, emphasizing their use in pheromone traps for early detection, population monitoring, also in mating disruption (MD) strategies that reduce pest reproduction. Pesticides play vital role in crop protection from pests like weeds, insects, along with diseases, but there are certain negative impacts of pesticides on the human life and environment. The major problems faced by farmers are the increasing resistance of pests to pesticides. The advantages of using pheromones, such as specificity to target species, minimal environmental impact, and diminished dependence on chemical pesticides are discussed. Overall, insect pheromones represent a promising avenue for improving agricultural practices