Low heat tolerance and high desiccation resistance in nocturnal bees and the implications for nocturnal pollination under climate change.

ABSTRACT: Predicting insect responses to climate change is essential for preserving ecosystem services and biodiversity. Due to high daytime temperatures and low humidity levels, nocturnal insects are expected to have lower heat and desiccation tolerance compared to diurnal species. We estimated the lower (CT_Min) and upper (CT_Max) thermal limits of Megalopta, a group of neotropical, forest-dwelling bees. We calculated warming tolerance (WT) as a metric to assess vulnerability to global warming and measured survival rates during simulated heatwaves and desiccation stress events. We also assessed the impact of body size and reproductive status (ovary area) on bees' thermal limits. Megalopta displayed lower CT_Min, CT_Max, and WTs than diurnal bees (stingless b

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez VH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10724170 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature