Invasive Insects Differ from Non-Invasive in Their Thermal Requirements

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131072
• Publication Date: 2015-06-19T18:21:17Z
• Authors: Vojtěch Jarošík; Marc Kenis; Alois Honěk; Jiří Skuhrovec; Petr Pyšek
• Keywords: Species distribution

We tested whether two basic thermal requirements for insect development, lower developmental thresholds, i.e. temperatures at which development ceases, and sums of effective temperatures, numbers day degrees above the thresholds necessary to complete differ among species that proved be successful invaders in regions outside their native range those did not. Focusing on traits underlying invasiveness are related temperature provides insights into mechanisms invasions. The screening thus could improve risk-assessment schemes by incorporating these predictions potentially invasive species. compared 100 pairs taxonomically-related originating from same continent, one other not reported as invasive. Invasive have higher than never recorded ranges. also a sum though significantly. However, differences between non-invasive physiological measures were significantly inversely correlated. This result suggests many currently prevented invading low some parts world. Those will overcome current climatic constraints distribution due climate change become even more serious future present-day species, faster development.