How Air Temperature and Solar Radiation Impact Life History Traits in a Wild Insect

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Insect Physiology

Background:

• Ectotherms rely on external heat for thermoregulation and life history.
• Climate change alters air temperature and cloud cover, potentially impacting ectotherm populations.
• Terrestrial insects are crucial ecosystem components sensitive to environmental shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of air temperature and shade on field cricket (Gryllus campestris) development and mass.
• To assess local adaptation to climate variables in different cricket populations.
• To predict climate change impacts on insects by examining temperature and solar radiation influences.

Main Methods:

• Field crickets (Gryllus campestris) nymphs were reared under high and low temperature conditions.
• Shaded and unshaded treatments were applied at each temperature site.
• Nymphs from high and low altitude lineages were used to test for local adaptation.

Main Results:

• Lower air temperatures significantly increased cricket development time.
• Shade had no significant effect on development time, suggesting compensatory behaviors.
• Adult mass showed an interaction between temperature and shade, with varied effects across conditions.
• No evidence of local adaptation in development time or mass was found between populations.

Conclusions:

• Air temperature and solar radiation are critical factors for predicting climate change impacts on insects.
• Shifts in temperature and cloud cover can have complex, region-specific effects on insect populations.
• Understanding these interactions is vital for managing insect populations and ecosystem health.