Climate change effects on animal ecology: butterflies and moths as a case study

Abstract

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are one of the most studied, diverse, and widespread animal groups, making them an ideal model for climate change research. They are a particularly informative model for studying the effects of climate change on species ecology because they are ectotherms that thermoregulate with a suite of physiological, behavioural, and phenotypic traits. While some species have been negatively impacted by climatic disturbances, others have prospered, largely in accordance with their diversity in life-history traits. Here we take advantage of a large repertoire of studies on butterflies and moths to provide a review of the many ways in which climate change is impacting insects, animals, and ecosystems. By studying these climate-based impacts on ecological processes of Lepidoptera, we propose appropriate strategies for species conservation and habitat management broadly across animals.

Differences in phenology, daily timing of activity, and associations of temperature utilization with survival in three threatened butterflies

“…In keeping with this notion, we propose that the differences between species in temperature utilization, phenology, and viability selection indicated by our results may be partly attributable to the thermal significance of body size and coloration 22 , 41 . Previous studies report spatial and temporal community-wide shifts towards smaller and paler species of butterflies in warmer climates 27 , 42 , 43 . Our findings that the largest species in this study, the Apollo butterfly, was active during the warmest part of the season and generally utilized the highest ambient temperatures do not conform with this pattern.…”

“…The consequences of changing temperatures go beyond the responses and species studied here. Butterflies interact with several other types of organisms, as competitors, pollinators, prey for spiders and birds, and even as predators (e.g., the Large Blue feeds on ants) 27 . There are thus many ways by which modifications in phenology, daily activity patterns, abundance, and distribution of these butterflies may cascade up and down in the ecosystems and affect the services they provide.…”

“…In principle, such intra-individual behavioral adjustments represent a form of phenotypic flexibility that can be targeted by natural selection and potentially undergo evolutionary shifts 26 . However, the evidence for this type of genetically based adaptation to rising and variable ambient temperatures is limited 25 , 27 . In particular, studies that quantify individual variation and estimate the magnitude and direction of selection on behavioral and physiological traits that influence the ability to cope with warm and changing thermal conditions are rare 28 .…”

Seasonal Dynamics of Fruit Flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Forests of the European Russia

“…Therefore, seasonal rhythms of insect activity depend on a variety of environmental factors, most often on temperature, photoperiod, and humidity [ 10 , 13 , 14 ]. In this regard, the observed climate changes lead to clear shifts in the phenology of species, changes in their life cycles of development and reproduction [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Thus, the seasonal aspects of insect biology are key processes that can link climate change to population conservation and possibly to community composition [ 21 ].…”

Potential Reasons for Insect Decline

“…Reduction in genetic diversity that leads to inbreeding depression Climatic changes alter almost every aspect of plant and animal diversity and particularly insect diversity. The significant alterations may be summarized into following categories or responses[55].Climate changes have both positive and negative effects on insects especially butterflies. The rapid growth of natural vegetation and the problems associated with intermediate successional vegetation due to climatic change affects the microclimate or the nutritional quality of food plants…”