kairomones
/ˈkaɪrəˌmoʊnz/
noun
- Chemical signals released by one organism that benefit another organism (usually a predator or parasite) by helping it locate or recognize the first organism.
- Some plants release kairomones that attract wasps to eat caterpillars on their leaves.
- The scent of a mouse's urine contains kairomones that help snakes track them.
- Scientists study kairomones to understand how predators find their prey in the wild.