Sex pheromones and other semiochemicals have been used for pest management in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and stored products for over five decades. Hundreds of pheromones and semiochemicals have been discovered and used to monitor insect populations and protect plants and animals. The annual production of pheromone lures is in the tens of millions, covering over 10 million hectares. Insect populations are controlled on at least 1 million hectares using air permeation and attract-and-kill techniques. Pheromones are effective at low population densities, do not harm natural enemies, and can lead to long-term insect population reduction. Climate change, with higher temperatures and altered rainfall, is increasing the urgency of pest control. Intensive insecticide use is not a solution, but pheromones and semiochemicals can be used for sustainable area-wide management, improving food security. Fifty years of pheromone research has led to a deep understanding of insect communication. The discovery of the first sex pheromone in 1959 to the identification of olfactory receptors in insects has been a major breakthrough. Pheromone communication is now being studied at the molecular level. Fundamental research is driven by the potential to apply knowledge in pest control. The interconnection between fundamental and applied research, academia, industry, and agriculture has been a driving force in pheromone research. The use of synthetic pheromones for environmentally safe insect control was proposed soon after the discovery of silk moth pheromone. The database of insect pheromones contains hundreds of chemicals. Pheromones are used worldwide for monitoring and control. Behavior-modifying chemicals are effective tools for insect control, and future applications in agricultural and medical entomology continue to fuel research. The idea of replacing hazardous insecticides with environmentally benign and species-specific odorants is a current research challenge. The motivation for green, sustainable insect control is no longer just health and safety, but also the necessity of sustainable methods in times of increasing food insecurity. Climate change is intensifying the pressure on natural resources and affecting agriculture. Environmental and food security are closely related. Climate change will affect plant health, insect outbreaks, and disease vectoring. Forest insects have shown how global warming intensifies insect outbreaks. Insect damage destroys up to a third of global food production. Insecticides have not reduced pest populations, and pesticides often harm natural enemies. This is particularly relevant in developing countries where agricultural production must increase to feed the population. Insecticides alone cannot provide a solution.Sex pheromones and other semiochemicals have been used for pest management in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and stored products for over five decades. Hundreds of pheromones and semiochemicals have been discovered and used to monitor insect populations and protect plants and animals. The annual production of pheromone lures is in the tens of millions, covering over 10 million hectares. Insect populations are controlled on at least 1 million hectares using air permeation and attract-and-kill techniques. Pheromones are effective at low population densities, do not harm natural enemies, and can lead to long-term insect population reduction. Climate change, with higher temperatures and altered rainfall, is increasing the urgency of pest control. Intensive insecticide use is not a solution, but pheromones and semiochemicals can be used for sustainable area-wide management, improving food security. Fifty years of pheromone research has led to a deep understanding of insect communication. The discovery of the first sex pheromone in 1959 to the identification of olfactory receptors in insects has been a major breakthrough. Pheromone communication is now being studied at the molecular level. Fundamental research is driven by the potential to apply knowledge in pest control. The interconnection between fundamental and applied research, academia, industry, and agriculture has been a driving force in pheromone research. The use of synthetic pheromones for environmentally safe insect control was proposed soon after the discovery of silk moth pheromone. The database of insect pheromones contains hundreds of chemicals. Pheromones are used worldwide for monitoring and control. Behavior-modifying chemicals are effective tools for insect control, and future applications in agricultural and medical entomology continue to fuel research. The idea of replacing hazardous insecticides with environmentally benign and species-specific odorants is a current research challenge. The motivation for green, sustainable insect control is no longer just health and safety, but also the necessity of sustainable methods in times of increasing food insecurity. Climate change is intensifying the pressure on natural resources and affecting agriculture. Environmental and food security are closely related. Climate change will affect plant health, insect outbreaks, and disease vectoring. Forest insects have shown how global warming intensifies insect outbreaks. Insect damage destroys up to a third of global food production. Insecticides have not reduced pest populations, and pesticides often harm natural enemies. This is particularly relevant in developing countries where agricultural production must increase to feed the population. Insecticides alone cannot provide a solution.