Complex responses of insect phenology to climate change.

Insect phenologies are changing in response to climate warming. Shifts toward earlier seasonal activity are widespread; however, responses of insect phenology to warming are often more complex. Many species have prolonged their activity periods; others have shown delays. Furthermore, because of interspecific differences in temperature sensitivity, warming can increase or decrease synchronization between insects and their food plants and natural enemies. Here, I review recent findings in three areas-shifts in phenology, changes in voltinism, and altered species interactions-and highlight counterintuitive responses to warming caused by the particularities of insect life cycles. Throughout, I emphasize how an appreciation of the evolutionary processes shaping insect life histories is necessary to forecast changes in insect phenology and their demographic consequences. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

Jessica Rk Forrest. Complex responses of insect phenology to climate change. Current opinion in insect science. 2016 Oct;17:49-54

PMID: 27720073

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