10 Animals With Surprisingly Complicated Love Lives

8. The Chemical Romance of Moths

For many moth species, love is a matter of chemistry. Moths rely on pheromones, chemical signals released into the air, to attract mates over long distances. Female moths emit specific pheromones that males can detect from miles away, guiding them to their potential partners. This chemical communication system is highly sophisticated, with each species producing a unique blend of pheromones to ensure that they attract the right mate. Males, in turn, have evolved highly sensitive antennae capable of detecting these signals amidst many environmental scents. The reliance on chemical cues in moth courtship underscores the importance of sensory adaptations in the evolution of mating systems.