Which term refers to chemicals that affect pests by changing their behavior?

Which term refers to chemicals that affect pests by changing their behavior?

• A. Pheromones
• B. Attractant
• C. Nonselective
• D. Translocated Herbicides

Answer: (A)

Pheromones are chemicals that pests use to influence the behavior of other individuals of the same species. They act as signals—like mating cues or trail cues—that change how insects behave, such as prompting them to mate, congregate, or move toward a source. This makes pheromones a precise term for chemicals designed to alter pest behavior, which is exactly what the question is asking about. An attractant can also draw pests, but it’s a broader idea: it’s any cue that brings pests toward a source and doesn’t necessarily imply signaling among individuals of the same species. The other options describe substances unrelated to pest behavior modification—nonselective and translocated herbicides relate to plant control, not how pests respond to chemical signals.

Pheromones are chemicals that pests use to influence the behavior of other individuals of the same species. They act as signals—like mating cues or trail cues—that change how insects behave, such as prompting them to mate, congregate, or move toward a source. This makes pheromones a precise term for chemicals designed to alter pest behavior, which is exactly what the question is asking about.

An attractant can also draw pests, but it’s a broader idea: it’s any cue that brings pests toward a source and doesn’t necessarily imply signaling among individuals of the same species. The other options describe substances unrelated to pest behavior modification—nonselective and translocated herbicides relate to plant control, not how pests respond to chemical signals.