The effect of temperature and humidity changes on insects development their impact on forest ecosystems in the expected climate change

Abstract

Abstract. Ongoing climate change is mainly evident as increased in average temperature. It is expected to have a significant impact on world's biomes, with forest ecosystems especially vulnerable to these changes. The effect of climate change on forests is both indirect, through its impact on various tree species of different ecological requirements, and direct, through its impact on all living components of the forest ecosystem. Among the latter, insects are the group of the greatest importance, including species detrimental to forest health. The impact of climate change on forest insects may be reflected in their distribution, phenology, activity, number of generations and, indirectly, through impact on their natural enemies. Predicting the future direction and pace of the climate change, as well as direct and indirect consequences of its effect on forest insects is difficult and often subject to considerable inaccuracy. The paper presents a review of data from the published literature in this area of study. The influence of the basic climate parameters, temperature and humidity, on forest herbivore insects is discussed, particularly in the context of the most probable scenarios of climate change, i.e. the gradual increase in the average temperature. Observed and projected impacts of climate change in relation to the influence of herbivorous insects on forest ecosystems are characterized. We present some of the possible adaptation strategies of forest management to the expected climate changes.

Effect of Diet, Photoperiod and Host Density on Parasitism of <i>Anisopteromalus calandrae</i> on the Tobacco Beetle and Biological Parameters of the Parasitoid

“…Due to damage caused by these insects, the difficulty of controlling them, and because many species, such as L. serricorne, have already acquired resistance to insecticides [5], new alternatives aimed at minimizing economic losses and controlling pests efficiently become necessary, as is the case of biological control with the use of parasitoids [6].…”

“…Biological interactions between parasitoid/host combined with abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity and photoperiod may limit or stimulate certain activities such as the development and reproduction of these insects [6]. The post-embryonic development of insects, in general, is directly influenced by environmental conditions.…”

Responses of Insect Pests and Plant Diseases to Changing and Variable Climate: A Review

“…Increased temperatures may increase the metabolic rates of fungal pathogens as well as the rate of infection (Thompson et al, 2010). Warmer temperatures also remove a limiting factor for plant pathogens resulting in an increase in the geographical area that is at risk of the disease due to range expansion of the pathogen (Jaworski & Hilszczanski, 2013). Climate induced high temperatures increases the severity of fungal pathogens such as the fusarium head blight (FHB) .…”

“…The majority of insect pests are cold-blooded invertebrates and, therefore, do not use their metabolism to maintain their body temperature (Petzolet & Seaman, 2010), but depend on surrounding temperatures for all their biological activities (Jaworski & Hilszczanski, 2013). Increases in the ambient temperatures may result in various changes such as a shift in geographical distribution, increased overwintering, extension of the insect development season, increase in the number of insect generations which result in changes in population growth rates and also increased risk of invasion by migrant pests (Ahanger et al, 2013).…”

“…There is also a likely disruption of temporal and spatial synchronization of insect pests, diseases and beneficial insects which will increase risks of insect pest outbreaks (Jaworski & Hilszczanski, 2013). Due to complex and highly variable responses of pests and their hosts to multiple and interactive shifts in environmental conditions, it is difficult to accurately quantify the potential impacts of climate change on pests.…”