Insect pheromones are important chemical compounds, single or blend of compounds, usually released by one sex of species to elicit behavioural responses in the opposite sex for mating. In most of the studied species, pheromones are released by female individuals but there are exceptions to this where male individuals release the pheromone to attract females. Under normal circumstances, male moths find female moths for mating due to the species-specific scent (called a pheromone), that females exude. Under MD, an orchard is saturated with that same female pheromone, "confusing" males and preventing them from finding females. Mating never occurs or is significantly delayed. After several seasons of MD use, the target pest population declines and insecticide sprays may be unnecessary.