Sex pheromones in many insect species are important species-recognition signals that attract conspecifics and inhibit attraction between heterospecifics; therefore, sex pheromones have predominantly been considered to evolve due to interactions between species. Recent research, however, is uncovering roles for these signals in mate choice, and that variation within and between populations can be drivers of species evolution. Variation in pheromone communication channels arises from a combination of context-dependent, condition-dependent, or genetic mechanisms in both signalers and receivers. Variation can affect mate choice and thus gene flow between individuals and populations, affecting species’ evolution. The complex interactions between intraspecific and interspecific selection forces calls for more integrative studies to understand the evolution of sex pheromone communication.

许多昆虫物种中的性信息素是重要的物种识别信号，可以吸引同种并抑制异种之间的吸引力。因此，性信息素主要被认为是由于物种之间的相互作用而进化的。然而，最近的研究揭示了这些信号在配偶选择中的作用，并且种群内部和种群之间的变化可能是物种进化的驱动因素。信息素通信渠道的变化源于信号发送者和接收者的上下文相关、条件相关或遗传机制的组合。变异会影响配偶选择，从而影响个体和种群之间的基因流动，从而影响物种的进化。