1. A chemical substance produced by one organism that benefits another organism of a different species, often used in predator-prey or host-parasite interactions.
Usage: technical; biology; ecology

Examples

• The plant releases a kairomone that attracts parasitic wasps to feed on herbivorous insects.
• Kairomones play an important role in chemical ecology and species interactions.
• Predators often use kairomones released by prey species to locate their food.
• The research team studied how kairomones mediate relationships between plants and their natural enemies.
• Unlike pheromones, kairomones benefit the receiver rather than the sender.