How will climatic warming affect insect pollinators?

Johnson, Meredith G.; Glass, Jordan R.; Dillon, Michael E.; Harrison, Jon F.

doi:10.1016/bs.aiip.2023.01.001

Cited by 12 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 532 publications

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“…We also used a faster ramping rate than most previous studies; our ramping rate was based on measurements of how fast our bees can heat in the field. In general, a faster ramping rate tends to raise CT max (Gonzalez et al, 2022; Johnson et al, 2023). Because methods and measures of CT max vary widely across and within species (Table S2), we did not conduct formal statistical tests on these data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The evolution of upper thermal limits ( CT max ) appears to be tightly constrained, with limited potential to change in response to climate warming (Bennett et al, 2021; Boyles et al, 2011; Hamblin et al, 2017; Hoffmann et al, 2013). For example, CT max does not vary significantly with latitude for terrestrial ectotherms (Johnson et al, 2023; Sunday et al, 2019). Possibly, this is due to constraints that make it near‐impossible for animals to offset the negative effects of temperature on membrane lipids and proteins (Bennett et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their relatively high surface area to volume ratio results in high radiant and/or convective heat loading and water losses (Merckx et al, 2008; Stevenson, 1985). Many of the biggest flying insects also substantially elevate thorax temperatures, which aids flight in cool conditions, but the added heat load provides a further thermoregulatory challenge during hot conditions (Heinrich, 1974; Johnson et al, 2022, 2023). Understanding how abiotic conditions limit flight is critical for developing accurate predictive models of activity, geographical distribution and organismal fitness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water loss, not overheating, limits the activity period of an endothermic Sonoran Desert bee

Johnson,

Alvarez,

Harrison

2023

Functional Ecology

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Desert animals must manage the physiological stress caused by heat and desiccation; evaporative heat loss mitigates overheating but exacerbates water stress. Small endothermic flying insects may be particularly vulnerable to overheating and water stress as a result of high surface area to volume ratios, but we lack quantitative understanding of the relative magnitude of these abiotic stressors in flying desert invertebrates, despite their ecological importance. During the hottest and driest weeks of year, many thousands of males of the Sonoran Desert digger bee (Centris caesalpiniae) flew near‐continuously at elevated thorax temperatures for hours at mating aggregation sites, while fighting other males and digging for females. To determine whether incapacitating high temperatures or water loss limited the activity period of male C. caesalpiniae, we assessed wet and dry body mass and water content through the activity period, flight durations using mark–recapture methods, crop volume and sugar content, microclimate selection, water balance during flight, critical water content and maximum critical temperature. Body masses and sizes of males declined through the morning. Body water content scaled isometrically with total body wet mass. Crop volume and sugar content did not vary throughout the day or with bee size. Maximum critical temperature during flight was 51°C for large‐morph C. caesalpiniae males, similar to those measured for other bees, and well above body temperatures reached in the field, suggesting that avoidance of overheating does not limit activity in this desert bee. The critical water content of Centris bees averaged 50%, at the low end of those measured for other bees. Measures of net water loss rate indicated that males approached lethal water loss limits within 4 h, a duration in the range of measured daily flight activity, suggesting that desiccation tolerance limits activity. Remarkably, male C. caesalpiniae were not observed to forage at floral or water sources during the activity period, yet they returned over multiple days, suggesting that these males have a mechanism to rehydrate when not at the mating aggregation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water loss, not overheating, limits the activity period of an endothermic Sonoran Desert bee

Johnson,

Alvarez,

Harrison

2023

Functional Ecology

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“…Humidity and temperature interactions may be important as high humidity can reduce the potential for evaporative cooling in insects as it reduces the hygric gradient between the bee and environment (Church, 1960;Prange, 1996). While evaporative cooling is thought to not be a major factor in most bees (Heinrich, 2004;Johnson et al, 2023), in bumble bees high humidity has been found to reduce cooling during flight (Church, 1960).…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variance in heat tolerance in bumble bees correlates with species geographic range and is associated with several environmental and biological factors

Feuerborn,

Quinlan,

Shippee

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Globally, insects have been impacted by climate change, with bumble bees in particular showing range shifts and declining species diversity with global warming. This suggests heat tolerance is a likely factor limiting the distribution and success of these bees. Studies have shown high intraspecific variance in bumble bee thermal tolerance, suggesting biological and environmental factors may be impacting heat resilience. Understanding these factors is important for assessing vulnerability and finding environmental solutions to mitigate effects of climate change. In this study, we assess whether geographic range variation in bumble bees in the eastern United States is associated with heat tolerance and further dissect which other biological and environmental factors explain variation in heat sensitivity in these bees. We examine heat tolerance by caste, sex, and rearing condition (wild/lab) across six eastern US bumble bee species, and assess the role of age, reproductive status, body size, and interactive effects of humidity and temperature on thermal tolerance in Bombus impatiens. We found marked differences in heat tolerance by species that correlate with each species' latitudinal range, habitat, and climatic niche, and we found significant variation in thermal sensitivity by caste and sex. Queens had considerably lower heat tolerance than workers and males, with greater tolerance when queens would first be leaving their natal nest, and lower tolerance after ovary activation. Wild bees tended to have higher heat tolerance than lab reared bees, and body size was associated with heat tolerance only in wild‐caught foragers. Humidity showed a strong interaction with heat effects, pointing to the need to regulate relative humidity in thermal assays and consider its role in nature. Altogether, we found most tested biological conditions impact thermal tolerance and highlight the stages of these bees that will be most sensitive to future climate change.

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“…Most studies exploring adaptations to climate focus on physiological and morphological traits. However, climate is also a major driving force in the evolution of sociality, mediating social adaptive responses such as grouping behavior (Johnson et al 2023, Ostwald et al 2023). For example, harsh climatic conditions drove the evolution of sociality in Australian rodents (Firman et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive genomic variation is linked to a climatic gradient in a social wasp

Cook,

Miller,

Giri

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Species vary in their ability to adapt to rapid changes, with the presence of genetic variation often facilitating long-term evolutionary responses. Given the impending threat of climate change, it is critical to investigate how genetic variation facilitates persistence and possible range expansion in animals. Here, we combine genomic and climatic data to characterize the drivers of local adaptation in the widely distributed, social wasp Mischocyttarus mexicanus cubicola. Using whole genome sequence data, we show that adaptive genomic variation is linked to a climatic gradient across the broad distribution of this species. We found strong population structure, dividing the species into two genetic clusters that follow subtropical and temperate regions. Patterns of gene flow across the range deviate from those expected by isolation by distance alone with climatic differences resulting in reduced gene flow even between adjacent populations. Importantly, genotype-environment analyses reveal candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) associated with temperature and rainfall, suggesting adaptation for thermal and desiccation tolerance. In particular, candidate SNPs in or near mitochondrial genes ND5, CO1, and COIII are linked to cold tolerance and metabolism. Similarly, the Gld nuclear gene shown to mediate cold hardiness and cuticle formation, shows two candidate SNPs with non-synonymous mutations unique to temperate populations. Together, our results reveal candidate SNPs consistent with local adaptation to distinct climatic conditions. Thus, the integration of genomic and climatic data can be a powerful approach to predict vulnerability and persistence of species under rapid climate change.

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How will climatic warming affect insect pollinators?

Cited by 12 publications

References 532 publications

Water loss, not overheating, limits the activity period of an endothermic Sonoran Desert bee

Water loss, not overheating, limits the activity period of an endothermic Sonoran Desert bee

Variance in heat tolerance in bumble bees correlates with species geographic range and is associated with several environmental and biological factors

Adaptive genomic variation is linked to a climatic gradient in a social wasp

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