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Hormesis and insects: Effects and interactions in agroecosystems
G Christopher Cutler1, Marcel Amichot2, Giovanni Benelli3
1Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, PO Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada.
The Science of the Total Environment
|February 19, 2022
Summary
Mild stress can stimulate insect populations (hormesis), impacting agroecosystem health. More field research is needed on insect interactions and diverse insect groups, beyond pests.
Area of Science:
- Agroecology
- Insect Ecology
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Insects in agricultural systems face various stressors, often at low levels.
- Mild stress exposure can induce hormetic (stimulatory) effects in insects.
- Hormesis has significant implications for insect management and agroecosystem function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how hormesis manifests across different insect ecological niches and guilds in agroecosystems.
- To discuss the mechanistic basis of insect hormesis.
- To identify research gaps and future directions for hormesis in insect agroecology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on insect hormesis in agroecosystems.
- Examination of insect ecological niches and guilds.
- Analysis of mechanistic underpinnings and observed phenotypic responses.
Main Results:
- Hormesis is observed in insect reproduction, development, and behavior.
- Laboratory studies support hormesis effects on insect populations.
- Field-based research on hormesis is significantly lacking.
Conclusions:
- Future research must move beyond laboratory settings to field-based, hypothesis-driven studies.
- Investigating hormesis effects on species interactions and community structure is crucial.
- Focus should expand to include natural enemies, pollinators, and detritivores, not just pests.
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