Synomone

Synomone is a term used in entomology to describe a type of semiochemical, a chemical substance produced and released by an organism that affects the behavior or physiology of other organisms of the same species. Specifically, synomones are signaling chemicals that benefit both the emitter and the receiver. This contrasts with allomones, which benefit the emitter at the expense of the receiver, and kairomones, which benefit the receiver at the expense of the emitter.

Examples of synomones include alarm pheromones in social insects like ants and bees. When an individual is threatened, it releases an alarm synomone, alerting nearby colony members to the danger and prompting them to either flee or defend. The emitter signals the presence of a threat, and the receivers benefit by becoming aware of and potentially avoiding or confronting the danger.

Another example could be aggregation synomones. These chemicals are released to attract individuals of the same species to a particular resource or location, such as a food source or a mating site. The emitter benefits by potentially finding mates or sharing resources, and the receivers benefit by being drawn to a beneficial area. The study of synomones is important in understanding insect communication and behavior, and has potential applications in pest management and conservation strategies.