From molecules to societies: A roadmap to the chemical regulation of reproduction in social insects

Pheromones regulating reproduction are key to understanding the division of labor between fecund queens and sterile workers in social insects. A review of data from the past five years reveals a shift away from queen-centered frameworks and highlights the importance of context in shaping responses to these pheromones. Increasing evidence suggests that innate responses to pheromones, particularly those regulating reproductive division of labor, may be more flexible than previously assumed, and can be modified or overridden by learning and experience.While genomic studies have shown great promise in recent decades, their mechanistic contributions to understanding pheromone biology remain limited without integration with functional genomics, gene editing, and emerging neurobiological tools capable of dissecting the production and perception of pheromones. Advances in these areas, together with the shift in conceptual frameworks, expand the potential for discovery and underscore the structural diversity of pheromonal systems.