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Physiological adaptations to climate change in pro-ovigenic parasitoids.
Damien Denis1, Jean-Sébastien Pierre, Joan van Baaren
1UMR 6553 ECOBIO, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes cedex, France.
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|June 26, 2012
Summary
Rising temperatures reduce lifetime reproductive success in parasitoids by favoring lipid reserves over egg production. This impacts insect populations and pest control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Insect Physiology
Background:
- Temperature significantly influences insect physiology and behavior.
- Pro-ovigenic parasitoids mature all eggs before emergence, relying on larval lipid accumulation for adult life.
- Adult parasitoids cannot synthesize lipids de novo, creating a trade-off between egg production and lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To predict changes in physiological adaptations and behavior of pro-ovigenic parasitoids due to increased ambient temperature.
- To investigate the impact of temperature on lipid allocation, lifespan, and fecundity in parasitoids.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a stochastic dynamic modelling approach.
- Simulated the effects of temperature increase on lipid allocation and reproductive strategies.
Main Results:
- Increased ambient temperature favors smaller initial egg loads and greater lipid reserves for maintenance.
- Higher temperatures increase the cost of habitat exploitation due to accelerated lipid consumption.
- Lifetime reproductive success decreases with rising temperatures.
Conclusions:
- Temperature increase imposes physiological constraints on parasitoids, leading to reduced reproductive success.
- Shifting optimal activity rates to match higher temperatures can mitigate some negative effects.
- Understanding these responses is crucial for predicting insect population dynamics and optimizing biological control.
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