ABSTRACT
Pheromones are the chemical messengers that have a profound impact on behavior as well as on physiology of other individuals of the same species. In Locust, Schistocerca gregaria, many volatiles have been reported to have a role in the gregarious nature and also in the reproductive behavior of individuals. Aggregated oviposition in females is as a result of pheromone-based behavior in interrelationship with environmental factors. Various studies displayed the role of pheromones in the timing of sexual maturation. Mature males secrete many volatiles, which facilitated the sexual maturity in immature males. The gregarious nature in locusts is actually a response to mechanical stimuli. Moreover, main constituent of 206aggregation pheromone system in adults is phenylacetonitrile, is seen to have repellent properties and is not known to be associated with the aggregation. Pheromones secreted by gregarious males are known to intensify male guarding behavior upon inhibition of courtship hormone. In this chapter, various studies and perspectives regarding the role of pheromones in aggregation and reproduction in locusts is discussed.
