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The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Physiology, Reproduction and Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 31293

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Parisi

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Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Systems (DAGRI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Interests: ecology of saproxylic insects; monitoring programs; forest management and conservation; systematics long term ecological research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Klaus H. Hoffmann

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Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
Interests: entomology; ecology; endocrinology; invertebrate biochemistry and physiology; molecular ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Enrico Ruzzier

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Department of Agronomy, Animals, Food, Natural Resources and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Padova, Italy
Interests: insect conservation and diversity; invasive species; taxonomy and systematics; insect morphology

Dr. Simone Sabatelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Rome University, Rome, Italy
Interests: systematics; taxonomy; phylogeny; biogeography; molecular ecology; conservation genetics of insects; monitoring of saproxylic beetles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last 50 years, insects, a key group for ecosystem stability and functioning, have been facing a constant decline in the number of individuals and species, which has been caused by processes of anthropogenic origin (i.e., environmental fragmentation, ecosystem simplification, invasive species, climate change, etc.).

Very little is still known about the effects of environmental changes on insect biology and what the repercussions will be on their behavior, physiology, and biochemistry at the individual, population, and community level.

Bridging this knowledge gap is essential for the development of efficient conservation of plans and, where possible, to understand and to disentangle the multiple effects of the environment on insect survival in order to implement compensatory or mitigation measures.

The present Special Issue, entitled The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology, and Biochemistry, welcomes original research and review articles regarding field and laboratory assays with the aim of expanding our knowledge of the effects that recent environmental modifications have had on insects.

Dr. Francesco Parisi
Prof. Dr. Klaus H. Hoffmann
Dr. Enrico Ruzzier
Dr. Simone Sabatelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

behavior
biochemistry
climate change
ecosystems simplification
environmental changes
environmental fragmentation
invasive species
insect biology
mitigation measures
physiology

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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22 pages, 7765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Phenology and Climate Associated Feeding Activity of Introduced Marchalina hellenica in Southeast Australia

by Duncan D. Jaroslow, John P. Cunningham, David I. Smith and Martin J. Steinbauer

Insects 2023, 14(3), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030305 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1958

Abstract

Invasive insects pose an increasing risk to global agriculture, environmental stability, and public health. Giant pine scale (GPS), Marchalina hellenica Gennadius (Hemiptera: Marchalinidae), is a phloem feeding scale insect endemic to the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, where it primarily feeds on Pinus halepensis and other Pinaceae. In 2014, GPS was detected in the southeast of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, infesting the novel host Pinus radiata. An eradication program was unsuccessful, and with this insect now established within the state, containment and management efforts are underway to stop its spread; however, there remains a need to understand the insect’s phenology and behaviour in Australia to better inform control efforts. We documented the annual life cycle and seasonal fluctuations in activity of GPS in Australia over a 32 month period at two contrasting field sites. Onset and duration of life stages were comparable to seasons in Mediterranean conspecifics, although the results imply the timing of GPS life stage progression is broadening or accelerating. GPS density was higher in Australia compared to Mediterranean reports, possibly due to the absence of key natural predators, such as the silver fly, Neoleucopis kartliana Tanasijtshuk (Diptera, Chamaemyiidae). Insect density and honeydew production in the Australian GPS population studied varied among locations and between generations. Although insect activity was well explained by climate, conditions recorded inside infested bark fissures often provided the weakest explanation of GPS activity. Our findings suggest that GPS activity is strongly influenced by climate, and this may in part be related to changes in host quality. An improved understanding of how our changing climate is influencing the phenology of phloem feeding insects such as GPS will help with predictions as to where these insects are likely to flourish and assist with management programs for pest species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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11 pages, 971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Floral Scents in Bee-Pollinated Buckwheat and Oilseed Rape under a Global Warming Scenario

by Guaraci Duran Cordeiro and Stefan Dötterl

Insects 2023, 14(3), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030242 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2184

Abstract

Many wild plants and crops are pollinated by insects, which often use floral scents to locate their host plants. The production and emission of floral scents are temperature-dependent; however, little is known about how global warming affects scent emissions and the attraction of pollinators. We used a combination of chemical analytical and electrophysiological approaches to quantify the influence of a global warming scenario (+5 °C in this century) on the floral scent emissions of two important crop species, i.e., buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and to test whether compounds that are potentially different between the treatments can be detected by their bee pollinators (Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris). We found that only buckwheat was affected by increased temperatures. Independent of temperature, the scent of oilseed rape was dominated by p-anisaldehyde and linalool, with no differences in relative scent composition and the total amount of scent. Buckwheat emitted 2.4 ng of scent per flower and hour at optimal temperatures, dominated by 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid (46%) and linalool (10%), and at warmer temperatures threefold less scent (0.7 ng/flower/hour), with increased contributions of 2- and 3-methylbutanoic acid (73%) to the total scent and linalool and other compounds being absent. The antennae of the pollinators responded to various buckwheat floral scent compounds, among them compounds that disappeared at increased temperatures or were affected in their (relative) amounts. Our results highlight that increased temperatures differentially affect floral scent emissions of crop plants and that, in buckwheat, the temperature-induced changes in floral scent emissions affect the olfactory perception of the flowers by bees. Future studies should test whether these differences in olfactory perception translate into different attractiveness of buckwheat flowers to bees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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15 pages, 3014 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attraction of Insects to Ornamental Lighting Used on Cultural Heritage Buildings: A Case Study in an Urban Area

by Anxo Méndez, Luis Martín, Justo Arines, Rafael Carballeira and Patricia Sanmartín

Insects 2022, 13(12), 1153; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13121153 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2990

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN) reduces insect populations by altering their movements, foraging, reproduction, and predation. Although ALAN is mainly associated with streetlights and road networks, the ornamental illumination of monuments is making an increasing (but not well-studied) contribution. We compared insect attraction to two different types of light sources: a metal halide lamp (a type currently used to illuminate monuments) and an environmentally sound prototype lamp (CromaLux) comprising a combination of green and amber LEDs. The experiment was performed within the pilot CromaLux project in Santiago de Compostela (NW Spain). The abundance and diversity of the insects captured between June and October 2021 in the areas surrounding both light sources and in an unlit area were compared. By limiting the light emitted to amber and green, the CromaLux lamps reduced the number and diversity of insects, morphospecies, and orders attracted to the light, with similar numbers captured as in the unilluminated area, while a greater diversity of insects was captured beside the metal halide lamp. This effect has been demonstrated for almost all insect orders trapped, especially in Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera. On the contrary, Psocoptera showed a similar attraction to the CromaLux and metal halide lamps, a phenomenon whose causes deserve further investigation. As expected, Diptera were the most diverse and abundant insects in all samples, but the abundance of Lepidoptera was unexpectedly low (4%), which is in line with the worldwide evidence of the progressive decline of populations of this group. The study findings provide evidence that selecting specific wavelengths for ornamental lighting reduces the attraction of insects while maintaining adequate illumination of monuments for aesthetic purposes, resulting in a lower environmental impact on nocturnal insects. This study provides reference data for developing principles of good practices leading to possible regulatory and legal solutions and the incorporation of specific measures for artificial lighting of monuments and urban structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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12 pages, 2647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phat Queens Emerge Fashionably Late: Body Size and Condition Predict Timing of Spring Emergence for Queen Bumble Bees

by Ellen C. Keaveny and Michael E. Dillon

Insects 2022, 13(10), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100870 - 24 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2238

Abstract

For insects, the timing of many life history events (phenology) depends on temperature cues. Body size is a critical mediator of insect responses to temperature, so may also influence phenology. The determinants of spring emergence of bumble bee queens are not well understood, but body size is likely important for several reasons. In fall, queens accumulate energy stores to fuel overwinter survival. Accumulation of fat stores prior to and depletion of fat stores during overwintering are likely size-dependent: larger queens can accumulate more lipids and have lower mass-specific metabolic rates. Therefore, larger queens and queens in relatively better condition may have delayed depletion of energy stores, allowing for later spring emergence. To test whether timing of spring emergence is associated with body size and condition, we captured 295 Bombus huntii queens in Laramie, WY, during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons, weighed them, and measured intertegular width (a size metric unaffected by variation in feeding and hydration state). Early emerging queens were smaller than later emerging queens across years. Mass relative to intertegular width increased as the season progressed suggesting, as predicted, that body condition influences the timing of spring emergence for these crucial pollinators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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16 pages, 1309 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Temperature-Dependent Development of the Post-Diapause Periods of the Apricot Seed Wasp Eurytoma maslovskii (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae): An Implication for Spring Emergence Prediction Models

by Hai Nam Nguyen, In Jun Lee, Hyuck Joo Kim and Ki-Jeong Hong

Insects 2022, 13(8), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080722 - 12 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2181

Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of temperature on the development of Eurytoma maslovskii after a diapause break up until adulthood. The insect development rate was fitted to both linear and nonlinear models to estimate thermal bioparameters, which served as the basis for constructing prediction models. Chilled apricot seeds collected in November were used for the experiments in March. Experiment 1 used intact seeds, while experiment 2 used overwintered larvae obtained by cracking the endocarp cover. Both larvae and intact seeds were subjected to seven constant temperatures (14.5, 18.8, 21.3, 24.0, 27.0, 30.2, and 34.3 °C). The post-diapause larvae of E. maslovskii developed into adults at a temperature range of 14.5–30.2 °C, and no larvae pupated at 34.3 °C. The lower temperature thresholds (LTs) for post-diapause larva and pupa and the total post-diapause period until adult emergence and until adult exit were 8.1, 8.2, 8.2, and 7.3 °C, respectively, whose thermal constants (DD) were 66.2, 180.2, 246.9, and 336.7 degree days, respectively. The distribution of E. maslovskii at all post-diapause stages was described using a two-parameter Weibull function. The data predicted by the model using accumulated degree days starting from January 1 did not differ by more than three days from the observed field emergence of E. maslovskii. Our data provide insights into the development of E. maslovskii after diapause. Temperature-dependent development supports the use of a degree day model to predict field emergence for pest timing control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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12 pages, 1302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Larval Crowding Did Not Enhance Adult Migration Propensity in Spodoptera frugiperda

by Weixiang Lü, Linghe Meng, Xingfu Jiang, Yunxia Cheng and Lei Zhang

Insects 2022, 13(7), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070581 - 26 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2011

Abstract

Reproduction and flight are two major adaptive strategies to cope with environmental stress in migratory insects. However, research on density-mediated flight and reproduction in the global migratory agricultural pest Spodoptera frugiperda is lacking. In this study, flight and reproductive performances in response to larval crowding were investigated in S. frugiperda. We found that larval crowding significantly reduced the pupal and body weights of S. frugiperda. Adults reared under the highest density of 30 larvae/jar had the minimum wing expansion, which was significantly smaller than that of larvae reared under solitary conditions. Larval crowding also significantly increased the pre-oviposition period (POP) and period of first oviposition (PFO) but decreased the lifetime fecundity, flight duration and flight distance. Our results showed that S. frugiperda reared under solitary conditions exhibited higher pupal and body weights and stronger reproductive and flight capacities than those reared under high-density conditions. Larval crowding did not enhance the migration propensity in S. frugiperda adults. In conclusion, larval crowding may not be a major factor affecting FAW migration due to high levels of cannibalism. These findings provide new insights into the population dynamics of S. frugiperda under larval crowding conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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15 pages, 1069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Juvenile Hormone Analog and Days after Emergence on the Reproduction of Oriental Armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations

by Weixiang Lv, Liting Zeng, Zhe Zhang, Hengguo He, Fang Wang and Xingcheng Xie

Insects 2022, 13(6), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13060506 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2101

Abstract

Mythimna separata (Walker) is a main cereal crop pest that causes extensive damage to the world grain production. The effects of juvenile hormone on M. separata populations remain poorly understood. Here, we explored how JH analog (JHA) affected reproductive traits of both migrant and resident populations in this pest. Our results showed that the influence of JHA treatment on reproduction depended on adult age (days after emergence) of exposure to JHA and populations. Exposure of M. separata residents to JHA (methoprene) on day 1 and day 2 after adult emergence significantly shortened the pre-oviposition period, but increased the lifetime fecundity, mating frequency and grade of ovarian development compared to the controls. However, M. separata migrants exposed to JHA only on day 1 facilitated their reproduction, resulting in a reduction in the pre-oviposition period but an increase in lifetime fecundity, mating frequency and grade of ovarian development. In addition, exposure to JHA from day 2 to day 4 did not significantly affect the ovarian and reproductive development in both migrant and resident populations. These results indicated that the first two days after adult emergence were the sensitive period for residents. In contrast, only the first day after adult emergence was the sensitive stage for migrants. Our findings will contribute to a better understanding of JHA function on M. separata populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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16 pages, 1754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Three Heat Shock Protein Genes in Pieris melete and Their Expression Patterns in Response to Temperature Stress and Pupal Diapause

by Jing Zhang, Falak Naz Miano, Ting Jiang, Yingchuan Peng, Wanna Zhang and Haijun Xiao

Insects 2022, 13(5), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050430 - 5 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2097

Abstract

Heat shock protein 70 genes participate in obligatory pupal diapause in Pieris melete to survive unfavorable conditions. In this study, three full-length cDNAs of PmHsc70, PmHsp70a and PmHsp70b were identified, and their expression patterns in response to diapause and short-term temperature stresses were investigated. Summer and winter diapause were induced in the pupae and non-diapause individuals were used as a control. The pupae from each diapause group were subjected to either hot or cold conditions and the expression levels of the HSP genes were measured. Our results showed that up-regulation of PmHsc70 and PmHsp70b were detected both in summer and winter diapause, but not for PmHsp70a. Under cold stress, PmHsp70a and PmHsp70b were upregulated in summer and winter diapause, while heat shock significantly induced upregulation of all three genes. In non-diapause pupae, none of the genes responded to cold or heat stress. Furthermore, we found that incubation at 39

^{\circ}

C for 30 min was the most sensitive heat stress condition for PmHsc70 expression in summer diapause. On the other hand, the same temperature was effective for PmHsc70, PmHsp70a, and PmHsp70b expression in winter diapause. During summer diapause, expression of all three genes was upregulated in response to high-temperature acclimation at 31

^{\circ}

C, but only PmHsp70a and PmHsp70b were upregulated when acclimated to a low temperature of 4

^{\circ}

C in winter diapause. These results suggest that the PmHsc70, PmHsp70a, and PmHsp70b respond differently to pupal diapause and temperature stress, and that PmHsc70 is more sensitive to heat shock than to cold stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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15 pages, 1929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Constant Temperatures on Culicoides sonorensis Midge Physiology and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Infection

by Paula Rozo-Lopez, Yoonseong Park and Barbara S. Drolet

Insects 2022, 13(4), 372; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040372 - 9 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3168

Abstract

Culicoides midges play an important role in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) transmission to US livestock. After VSV-blood feeding, blood digestion followed by oviposition occurs while ingested virus particles replicate and disseminate to salivary glands for transmission during subsequent blood-feeding events. Changes to environmental temperature may alter the feeding–oviposition–refeeding cycles, midge survival, VSV infection, and overall vector capacity. However, the heterothermic midge may respond rapidly to environmental changes by adjusting their thermal behavior to resting in areas closer to their physiological range. Here we investigated the effects of four constant environmental temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on C. sonorensis survival, oviposition, and VSV infection, as well as resting thermal preferences after blood-feeding. We found that most midges preferred to rest in areas at 25–30 °C. These two constant temperatures (25 and 30 °C) allowed an intermediate fitness performance, with a 66% survival probability by day 10 and oviposition cycles occurring every 2–3 days. Additionally, VSV infection rates in bodies and heads with salivary glands were higher than in midges held at 20 °C and 35 °C. Our results provide insight into the implications of temperature on VSV–Culicoides interactions and confirm that the range of temperature preferred by midges can benefit both the vector and the arbovirus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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13 pages, 6567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Population Responses of Nilaparvata lugens after Feeding on Drought-Stressed Rice

by Xinyan Liang, Lin Chen, Xiaoying Lan, Guangrong Liao, Ling Feng, Jitong Li, Wenyan Fan, Shuang Wang and Jinglan Liu

Insects 2022, 13(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040355 - 5 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2485

Abstract

Drought stress greatly impacts insect development and population growth. Some studies have demonstrated increased reproductive capacity in drought-stressed insects; however, physiological changes in the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), during periods of drought are unclear. In this study, BPH fed on drought- stressed rice had lower population numbers than BPH feeding on non-stressed rice. Water content, osmotic pressure of hemolymph and total amino acid content of BPH were significantly lower when BPH fed on drought-stressed rice compared to the non-stressed control; however, glucose content and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were significantly higher in BPH fed on drought-stressed rice. The expression of Vitellogenin and Exuperantia in BPH fed on drought-stressed rice was higher than that in BPH feeding on non-stressed control plants. The size of myofibrils and the abundance of mitochondria in BPH flight muscles were significantly lower in BPH fed on drought-stressed rice compared to non-stressed plants. These results indicate that water management impacts the physiology of BPH, which may be useful in understanding the relationship between drought stress and this damaging herbivore. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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7 pages, 3969 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Link between Atmospheric Pressure and Fertility of Drosophila Laboratory Strains

by Natalya V. Adonyeva, Petr N. Menshanov and Nataly Gruntenko

Insects 2021, 12(10), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12100947 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3062

Abstract

Standardization of conditions under which insects are kept is of great importance when studying their physiology and researchers do their best to maintain it. Nevertheless, sometimes an obvious side effect of some unaccounted factor affecting insects’ reproduction can be revealed even under thoroughly controlled laboratory conditions. We faced such a phenomenon when studying the fertility level in two wild type Drosophila melanogaster strains. For fertility analysis, 50 newly emerged females and 50 males of each strain under study were transferred to fresh medium daily within 10 days. We found out that fertility of both strains was stable on days 2–10 after the oviposition onset in one experiment, while in another one it was significantly decreased during days 5–10. When compared to publicly available meteorological data, these changes in the fertility level demonstrated a strong association with one weather factor: barometric pressure. Thus, we conclude that changes in atmospheric pressure can be considered a factor affecting insects reproduction and discuss a possible mechanism of their influence on fertility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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9 pages, 3535 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Ozone Induces Distress Behaviors in Fig Wasps with a Reduced Chance of Recovery

by Maryse Vanderplanck, Benoit Lapeyre, Shéhérazade Lucas and Magali Proffit

Insects 2021, 12(11), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12110995 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2502

Abstract

Among anthropogenic environmental risks, air pollution has the potential to impact animal and plant physiology, as well as their interactions and the long-term survival of populations, which could threaten the functioning of ecosystems. What is especially alarming is that the concentration of tropospheric ozone (O₃) has dramatically increased since pre-industrial times. However, the direct effects of O₃ on the behavior of pollinators themselves have not been investigated so far even though insect behavior is key to their ecological interactions, which underpin the stability of ecological networks responsible for species biodiversity in ecosystems. In this study, we aim to determine the potential effects of O₃ episodes at different field-realistic concentrations (0, 40, 80, 120, and 200 ppb for 60 min) on the behavior of the fig wasp Blastophaga psenes by monitoring exposed individuals hourly for 5 h after exposure. We found that ozone episodes induced major changes in insect behavior, which were already significant at 80 ppb with individuals displaying abnormal motility. The tracking over time clearly showed that exposed individuals might only have a reduced chance of recovery, with a decreasing proportion of active fig wasps despite the cessation of an O₃ episode. These findings illustrate that O₃ episodes can affect pollinator behavior, which may have detrimental implications for pollination systems. It is, therefore, of importance to assess the effects of O₃ on insect behavior in order to predict how it could modify ecological interactions and species biodiversity in ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Environmental Changes on Insects Behavior, Physiology and Biochemistry)

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