method for rapid measurement of heat or cold resistance of small insects

• Published in: Functional ecology 1992, Vol.6 (4), p.489-494
• Main Authors: Huey, R.B, Crill, W.D, Kingsolver, J.G, Weber, K.E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; artificial selection; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Body temperature; cold tolerance; Critical temperature; Drosophila; Drosophila melanogaster; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heat; heat resistance; Insecta; insects; Invertebrates; knock-down temperature; laboratory equipment; laboratory techniques; measurement; Protozoa. Invertebrata; temperature; Temperature control; Temperature gradients; Temperature resistance; Thermal resistance; Water temperature
• ISSN: 0269-8463; 1365-2435
• DOI: 10.2307/2389288

1. We describe a new technique for rapidly measuring the heat or cold resistance of many small insects. We heat (or cool) insects in a temperature-controlled column and measure the temperature at which they are knocked down. 2. An artificial selection experiment on heat resistance demonstrates that knock-down temperatures respond rapidly to selection. After only four generations of selection, the experimental and control lines differed significantly in both knock-down temperature and physiological heat tolerance, as measured by per cent survival of a heat shock. 3. Potential applications (acclimation, ageing, selection) and technical problems (body size, humidity, statistical considerations) are evaluated.