The importance of timing of heat events for predicting the dynamics of aphid pest populations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Heatwaves are increasing in frequency and there is growing interest in their impact on pest organisms. Previous work indicates that effects depend on the timing of the stress event, whose impact needs to be characterized across the full set of developmental stages and exposure periods of an organism. Here, we undertake such a detailed assessment using heat stress (20–35 °C diurnal cycle) across the nymph and adult stages of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius). RESULTS: Stress-related mortality increased with stress duration at all stages; effects were less severe at the late nymphal stage. Effects on longevity adults after stress showed a complex pattern with nym..