Insects use pheromones to find mates. Scientists have long known this and have developed mating disruption programs widely used by growers today.But insects also find mates with vibrations: pickup lines, responses and rivalry challenges all broadcast through plant tissue. Researchers in Italy, California and Washington are trying to use those shaky mating calls against the orchard and vineyard pests that make them. If it works, vibrational signaling could join pheromone disruption, early detection, trapping and other tools as part of successful integrated pest management strategies.
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