Do animals send false pheromone signals?
TW: Yes, one of the most spectacular is the bolas spider which synthesizes moth pheromones which are so good that they attract male moths (to their death). Some orchids do a similar thing with the pheromones of wasps and bees to lure them to visit the flower to take on pollen – and deliver it to the next flower when they are duped again by the fake pheromones. OSB: Why do you think theories about human pheromones are so controversial? TW: I think we find it disturbing to imagine our behaviour could be influenced by chemicals given off by another human being! Yet at the same time most perfumes are advertised with the promise of just this kind of effect. There may be a reluctance still to accept that we are mammals – and as mammals it is highly likely that we use pheromones, though there’s no evidence for ones with instant effects like the dog or moth sex pheromone. OSB: What are the biggest questions about human pheromones that remain to be answered? TW: Well the first challenge is to c
