Physiological mechanisms of heat tolerance in insects

Abstract

Abstract Insects use a wide variety of physiological mechanisms to survive high temperatures. After appropriately sensing temperature, a stress response mediated by heat shock proteins is triggered and protects insect tissues together with changes in metabolic rates, antioxidant defenses, biogenic amines and neuroendocrine factors, as well as physiological and behavioral mechanisms of thermoregulation. Bacterial endosymbionts also contribute to heat tolerance but their role remains largely unexplored. These mechanisms of heat tolerance are the basis for heat acclimation and adaptation, but are limited by life-history trade-offs and the presence of additional environmental stressors, which will define insect survival in a warming world.