Agenor Mafra-Neto
Chemical Ecologist
Non Forest Service
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I was constantly exposed to farm life and the great outdoors when I was young. My early experiences led me to love and appreciate nature, animal behavior, and the complex interaction among species.
My favorite science experience was when I first saw the powerful effect that natural chemicals like pheromones have on the behavior of insects. Pheromones are chemicals that some plant and animal species release. The chemicals have an effect on members of the same species. With tiny amounts of these pheromones, I was able to completely manipulate the behavior of moths. I could make them go wherever I wanted them to go. Today I manipulate insect behavior for a living, protecting crops and forests from insect damage.
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