To develop any pheromone, the tiny quantity released by an insect must first be captured. Only then can powerful analytical techniques be used to identify the chemical. This may involve detecting concentrations equivalent to a grain of salt in a swimming pool. The pheromone from every insect is different, and some are mixtures of complex molecules. Most of the pheromones are unsaturated long straight-chain acetates, alcohols, aldehydes or epoxides.
Chemists then find ways of making the pheromone in a laboratory.
Often this involves years of study and the use of many chemicals like building blocks which have to be assembled in one very precise way. Even when the pheromone can be made in the laboratory, it must be formulated in a way that gives maximum effect over the desired release period. Various hand placement and sprayable devices are used as pheromone controlled release systems. While the chemists are making the pheromone, teams of biologists study the habits of the pest and its life cycle. Only then can the best trapping systems be designed and manufactured.