Survival and hsp70 gene expression in Plutella xylostella and its larval parasitoid Diadegma insulare varied between slowly ramping and abrupt extreme temperature regimes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In nature, insects have evolved behavioural and physiological adaptations to cope with short term exposure to extreme temperatures. Extreme heat events may increase as a result of climate change; this in turn will affect insect population dynamics. We examined the effect of abrupt and ecologically relevant gradual exposure to high temperatures on the survival and hsp70 gene expression in diamondback moth (DBM) adults and the parasitoid Diadegma insulare, as well as in parasitized and non-parasitized DBM larvae.

Principal findings

Tolerance to high temperatures in DBM adults was higher than in D. insulare adults. There was no difference in the survival of DBM adults between abrupt and ramped increases from 25 to 38°C; however, at 40°C survival was higher when the t

SUBMITTER: Bahar MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3765401 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature