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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Linking Energetics And Overwintering In Temperate Insects., Brent J Sinclair
Linking Energetics And Overwintering In Temperate Insects., Brent J Sinclair
Biology Publications
Overwintering insects cannot feed, and energy they take into winter must therefore fuel energy demands during autumn, overwintering, warm periods prior to resumption of development in spring, and subsequent activity. Insects primarily consume lipids during winter, but may also use carbohydrate and proteins as fuel. Because they are ectotherms, the metabolic rate of insects is temperature-dependent, and the curvilinear nature of the metabolic rate-temperature relationship means that warm temperatures are disproportionately important to overwinter energy use. This energy use may be reduced physiologically, by reducing the slope or elevation of the metabolic rate-temperature relationship, or because of threshold changes, such …
An Invitation To Measure Insect Cold Tolerance: Methods, Approaches, And Workflow., Brent J Sinclair, Litza E Coello Alvarado, Laura V Ferguson
An Invitation To Measure Insect Cold Tolerance: Methods, Approaches, And Workflow., Brent J Sinclair, Litza E Coello Alvarado, Laura V Ferguson
Biology Publications
Insect performance is limited by the temperature of the environment, and in temperate, polar, and alpine regions, the majority of insects must face the challenge of exposure to low temperatures. The physiological response to cold exposure shapes the ability of insects to survive and thrive in these environments, and can be measured, without great technical difficulty, for both basic and applied research. For example, understanding insect cold tolerance allows us to predict the establishment and spread of insect pests and biological control agents. Additionally, the discipline provides the tools for drawing physiological comparisons among groups in wider studies that may …
Insects In Fluctuating Thermal Environments., Hervé Colinet, Brent J Sinclair, Philippe Vernon, David Renault
Insects In Fluctuating Thermal Environments., Hervé Colinet, Brent J Sinclair, Philippe Vernon, David Renault
Biology Publications
All climate change scenarios predict an increase in both global temperature means and the magnitude of seasonal and diel temperature variation. The nonlinear relationship between temperature and biological processes means that fluctuating temperatures lead to physiological, life history, and ecological consequences for ectothermic insects that diverge from those predicted from constant temperatures. Fluctuating temperatures that remain within permissive temperature ranges generally improve performance. By contrast, those which extend to stressful temperatures may have either positive impacts, allowing repair of damage accrued during exposure to thermal extremes, or negative impacts from cumulative damage during successive exposures. We discuss the mechanisms underlying …