Abstract  Ants are eusocial insects with a complex adaptive foraging system regulated by trail pheromones. This review summarizes ants’ pheromone-producing exocrine glands, the chemical composition of ant trail pheromones, and their function and functional characteristics. Glands that secrete trail pheromones include Dufour’s gland, poison glands, Pavan’s gland and the pygidial gland. Trail pheromones are mostly volatile substances with complex and diverse structures, including hydrocarbons, alkaloids, organic acids, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones and esters. Their functions include orientation and recruitment. Prospects for the future application of trail pheromones in pest ant management are discussed.