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Listen to part of a lecture in a biology class. The professor is discussing animal communication. Professor: Today, let's talk about how animals communicate, specifically through chemical signals called pheromones. Many insects, like ants and bees, rely heavily on pheromones to coordinate their activities. For example, when a foraging ant finds food, it leaves a trail of pheromones on its way back to the nest, which other ants can follow. This is a classic example of chemical communication. But pheromones are not just used for navigation. They also play a role in alarm signals. When a bee stings, it releases an alarm pheromone that alerts other bees to defend the hive. Interestingly, some pheromones can even influence development. In honeybees, a pheromone produced by the queen prevents female larvae from becoming queens. However, we should be careful not to overgeneralize. While pheromones are widespread, not all animal communication relies on chemicals. Birds, for instance, primarily use visual and auditory signals. So, while chemical communication is important, it's just one piece of the puzzle in understanding how animals interact.