Juvenile Hormone (Epoxides: not just for glue)

Epoxides aren't just found in glue and disinfectants (see here and here. They also occur occasionally in nature (not too often, since they're very strained, high-energy structures - this is why they're so reactive and useful). One such example is in JHB₃, a "juvenile hormone" found in insects.

Juvenile hormones have several roles, one of which is regulating the development of juvenile insects. A relatively high level of juvenile hormone keeps insects in an immature state, allowing them to grow, but not achieve sexual maturity. Diminished levels of JH allow maturation to adulthood.

Interestingly, juvenile hormone is a drug target! Monday, I'll cover an insecticide based on it.