Multigenerational experimental simulation of climate change on an economically important insect pest

Abstract

Current models of human activity and climate change predictions, according to the most pessimistic scenarios, foresee an atmospheric concentration of 1000 ppm of CO 2 and an associated global temperature increase of 6°C by 2100 (IPCC, 2007, 2014). Assuming that human population growth and food consumption follow its current trend (Bajželj et al., 2014), global crop production will require a 60% increase by mid-century to respond to food demands (Godfray et al., 2010). Notwithstanding, climate change will hinder this achievement in two ways: (a) crop production will encounter constraints due to plant productivity itself (Olesen et al., 2011; Waha et al., 2013), and (b) pest population dynamics and physiology will be altered (Bale et al., 2002; Harrington et al., 2001). While there is no easy way to deal with future plant productivity constrains, pest management can be adjusted (Estay et al., 2009, 2014). Notwithstanding, we are still far away from understanding how pests will deal with realistic climate change scenarios (Bannerman & Roitberg, 2014;

Developmental temperature predicts body size, flight, and pollen load in a widespread butterfly

“…Despite the knowledge that warming‐mediated shifts in body size are likely to have significant consequences for many ecological processes, there are few studies that directly link the changes in body size caused by warming to ecological function in natural settings. The existing studies that fall under this broad research umbrella can typically be grouped into those that: (a) use laboratory experiments to examine the effect of temperature on body size, fecundity, and sometimes flight (Costanzo et al, 2018; Jardeleza et al, 2022; Ohba et al, 2020; Schneider et al, 2020; Soule et al, 2020; Terada et al, 2019; Wonglersak et al, 2021; Xi et al, 2016), versus (b) those that examine correlations between insect body size and ecological functions such as pollination, dispersal, and nutrient cycling (Földesi et al, 2021; Stanbrook et al, 2021; Yang et al, 2016). Here, our goal is to join these two lines of research.…”

Cross‐protection interactions in insect pests: Implications for pest management in a changing climate

“…For instance, Schneider et al conducted a selection experiment to investigate how elevated temperature and atmospheric CO 2 impact life history and performance traits in the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus). 106 After ten generations, weevils under simulated conditions developed faster than the controls, suggesting that climatic conditions associated with climate change can enhance insect performance traits. 106 Furthermore, higher mean temperatures or frequent heat waves may negatively impact the efficacy of insecticides, making them less toxic to insects.…”

“…106 After ten generations, weevils under simulated conditions developed faster than the controls, suggesting that climatic conditions associated with climate change can enhance insect performance traits. 106 Furthermore, higher mean temperatures or frequent heat waves may negatively impact the efficacy of insecticides, making them less toxic to insects. 21,107,108 Temperature induced tolerance to insecticides has been observed in a handful insect pests and mosquito vectors.…”

“… 106 After ten generations, weevils under simulated conditions developed faster than the controls, suggesting that climatic conditions associated with climate change can enhance insect performance traits. 106 …”

Insect responses to global change offer signposts for biodiversity and conservation

“…Multi‐generation experimental studies show the potential of insect life history traits and physiology to evolve in response to changes in temperature or CO 2 (Schneider et al ., 2020), with trade‐offs between growth, survival, and fecundity that may be evident as clinal differences over geographic gradients in the climate (Günter et al ., 2020). Analysis of latitudinal variation in diet breadth in the Lepidoptera suggests that poleward range expansions have led to host diversification (Lancaster, 2020).…”