Global climatic warming is expected to have differing effects on night-time and day-time environmental temperatures. We explore how night-time and day-time temperatures alter fitness components in the imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae), a common pest of Brassicaceae. Full-sib families of P.rapae caterpillars were reared from egg until 4th instar under control conditions that mimic current summer temperature conditions in Piedmont North Carolina. Families were then split into control, increased
night-time, and increased day-time temperature treatments. We measured larval
growth and developmental rates, survival to pupation, pupal mass and adult wing
melanization. We will assay for the amount of heat shock protein (Hsp 70)
to determine if it is related to the fitness components and has the potential to play a role in adaptation to climate change.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Pieridae Pieris rapae
Keywords: global warming
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