When insect pests build their own thermal niche: The hot nest of the pine processionary moth. (May 2021)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- When insect pests build their own thermal niche: The hot nest of the pine processionary moth. (May 2021)
- Main Title:
- When insect pests build their own thermal niche: The hot nest of the pine processionary moth
- Authors:
- Poitou, Laura
Robinet, Christelle
Suppo, Christelle
Rousselet, Jérôme
Laparie, Mathieu
Pincebourde, Sylvain - Abstract:
- Abstract: Temperature strongly drives physiological and ecological processes in ectotherms. While many species rely on behavioural thermoregulation to avoid thermal extremes, others build structures (nests) that confer a shelter against climate variability and extremes. However, the microclimate inside nests remains unknown for most insects. We investigated the thermal environment inside the nest of a temperate winter-developing insect species, the pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea pityocampa . Gregarious larvae collectively build a silken nest at the beginning of the cold season. We tested the hypothesis that it provides a warmer microenvironment to larvae. First, we monitored temperature inside different types of nests varying in the number of larvae inside. Overall, nest temperature was positively correlated to global radiation and air temperature. At noon, when global radiation was maximal, nest temperature exceeded air temperature by up to 11.2–16.5 °C depending on nest type. In addition, thermal gradients of amplitude from 6.85 to 15.5 °C were observed within nests, the upper part being the warmest. Second, we developed a biophysical model to predict temperature inside PPM nests based on heat transfer equations and to explain this important temperature excess. A simple model version accurately predicted experimental measurements, confirming that nest temperature is driven mainly by radiation load. Finally, the model showed that nest temperature increases atAbstract: Temperature strongly drives physiological and ecological processes in ectotherms. While many species rely on behavioural thermoregulation to avoid thermal extremes, others build structures (nests) that confer a shelter against climate variability and extremes. However, the microclimate inside nests remains unknown for most insects. We investigated the thermal environment inside the nest of a temperate winter-developing insect species, the pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea pityocampa . Gregarious larvae collectively build a silken nest at the beginning of the cold season. We tested the hypothesis that it provides a warmer microenvironment to larvae. First, we monitored temperature inside different types of nests varying in the number of larvae inside. Overall, nest temperature was positively correlated to global radiation and air temperature. At noon, when global radiation was maximal, nest temperature exceeded air temperature by up to 11.2–16.5 °C depending on nest type. In addition, thermal gradients of amplitude from 6.85 to 15.5 °C were observed within nests, the upper part being the warmest. Second, we developed a biophysical model to predict temperature inside PPM nests based on heat transfer equations and to explain this important temperature excess. A simple model version accurately predicted experimental measurements, confirming that nest temperature is driven mainly by radiation load. Finally, the model showed that nest temperature increases at the same rate as air temperature change. We conclude that some pest insects already live in warm microclimates by building their own sheltering nest. This effect should be considered when studying the impact of climate change on phenology and distribution. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Processionary moth caterpillars build a silk nest that warms-up during the day. Exposure to sunlight was key to this warm microclimate in winter. Heat transfer modelling confirms the primary role of solar energy on heat excess. Considering nest microclimate would help to predict phenology. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of thermal biology. Volume 98(2021)
- Journal:
- Journal of thermal biology
- Issue:
- Volume 98(2021)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 98, Issue 2021 (2021)
- Year:
- 2021
- Volume:
- 98
- Issue:
- 2021
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2021-0098-2021-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2021-05
- Subjects:
- Microclimate -- Pine processionary moth -- Biophysical ecology -- Heat gain -- Nest -- Thermal niche
Thermobiology -- Periodicals
Temperature -- Periodicals
Biology -- Periodicals
Thermobiologie -- Périodiques
Thermobiology
Periodicals
571.46 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03064565 ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102947 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0306-4565
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 5069.095000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 16838.xml