Ecological Entomology (2013) 38, 553-559

Andrea Battisti, Lorenzo Marini, Andrea Pitacco and Stig Larsson (2013)
Solar radiation directly affects larval performance of a forest insect
Ecological Entomology 38 (6), 553-559
Abstract: Solar radiation can affect the performance of insect herbivores directly by increasing body temperature, or indirectly through alteration of either host plant quality or natural enemy activity.
To test for the direct effect of solar radiation on larval performance, young Pinus sylvestris trees growing on the island of Gotland (Sweden) were assigned to one of four shading treatments for the whole duration of the first larval instar of the northern pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pinivora.
There was a strong, linear relationship between shading and the temperature of the first-instar colonies of T. pinivora, resulting in higher growth of the larvae exposed to full sunlight, but there were no effects on developmental rate or larval mortality. Putative negative effects of UV radiation on the larvae are not consistent with higher growth in full sunlight, but it is possible that UV effects might have modulated the response.
Thaumetopoea pinivora has a strong preference for light and open pine stands, i.e. habitats with frequent intense incoming solar radiation. The data in the present study suggest that the opportunity for young larvae to bask in the sun during cold spring weather is an important determinant of the spatial distribution of T. pinivora.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Andrea Battisti, Lorenzo Marini

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Thaumetopoea pinivora	Pine (Pinus)	Sweden