Assistant Professor Cornell University Geneva, New York
Insects are adapted to survive in a specific range of temperatures. Accordingly, the increase in maximum temperatures due to climate change may influence insect physiology and ecology, affecting also colonization, distribution, abundance, and reproduction. Therefore, understanding the effect of high temperatures on invasive pest species is of key importance for pest risk assessment. Here, we simulated diurnal cycles with different exposure times to maximum temperatures experienced in various locations of California and assessed their effect on the survivorship and development of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), the invasive vector of the lethal citrus disease, Huanglongbing (HLB). We also tested the effect of humidity at high temperatures on ACP survival and development and the effect of high temperatures on short-distance dispersal. ACP were able to complete their life cycle in all temperature treatments (28 to 43°C) except in daily cycles when 43°C was maintained for six hours. Temperature and exposure time significantly decrease adult emergence above 40°C. High temperatures significantly increase development time with longer development as exposure times to high temperatures increase. The interaction between low humidity and high temperature increased the percentage of emerged adults and increased developmental times independently of the temperature. ACP short-distance dispersal increased over time but was not affected by temperature. Increasing exposure times to high temperatures may reduce the capacity of ACP to establish in regions where maximum daily temperatures are increasing along with the duration of such temperatures throughout the day.
