Heat tolerance and thermal safety margins differentially influence the performance of co-occurring mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under climate warming
- 1Centre for Biological Control, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University
Abstract
Ectotherms vary widely in thermal tolerance and exposure to temperature extremes, with sensitivity differing among species and life stages that can differentially influence their physiological and ecological performance under a changing climate. Using the F1 generation, we quantified thermal vulnerability for six mealybug species, Planococcus citri, Pseudococcus longispinus, Paracoccus burnerae, Nipaecoccus viridis, Pseudococcus calceolariae, and Delottococcus aberiae, by measuring their upper lethal temperatures, critical thermal maxima (CTmax), and heat knockdown times (HKDTs). We then calculated species’ thermal safety margins by comparing their absolute CTmax and daily maximum temperatures (Tmax) recorded in eight orchards over six years. Paracoccus burnerae, N. viridis, and D. aberiae exhibited higher heat tolerance and greater CTmax (48.83 ± 0.15 to 49.65 ± 0.13) than Pl. citri, Ps. longispinus, and Ps. calceolariae (46.95 ± 0.17 to 48.32 ± 0.06). Although not all thermal traits differed significantly among life stages, adults had considerably longer HKDT than 3rd instar nymphs across species. Species differed in thermal responses and, in the context of microhabitat adaptations, produced vulnerability patterns consistent with each species’ thermal tolerance. Thermal safety margins declined as Tmax increased, especially for species with lower CTmax. Combining species thermal rankings with environmental exposure revealed a complex, spatially variable risk landscape. These findings support incorporating thermal safety margin metrics into management strategies to enhance agricultural sustainability under climate warming.
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BibTeX
@article{tanka2026heat,
title = {{Heat tolerance and thermal safety margins differentially influence the performance of co-occurring mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under climate warming}},
author = {Deric V. Tanka and Reyard Mutamiswa and Candice A. Coombes and Sean D. Moore and Martin P. Hill},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-63015-y},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63015-y},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Heat tolerance and thermal safety margins differentially influence the performance of co-occurring mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under climate warming
AU - Deric V. Tanka
AU - Reyard Mutamiswa
AU - Candice A. Coombes
AU - Sean D. Moore
AU - Martin P. Hill
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-63015-y
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63015-y
AB - Ectotherms vary widely in thermal tolerance and exposure to temperature extremes, with sensitivity differing among species and life stages that can differentially influence their physiological and ecological performance under a changing climate. Using the F1 generation, we quantified thermal vulnerability for six mealybug species, Planococcus citri, Pseudococcus longispinus, Paracoccus burnerae, Nipaecoccus viridis, Pseudococcus calceolariae, and Delottococcus aberiae, by measuring their upper lethal temperatures, critical thermal maxima (CTmax), and heat knockdown times (HKDTs). We then calculated species’ thermal safety margins by comparing their absolute CTmax and daily maximum temperatures (Tmax) recorded in eight orchards over six years. Paracoccus burnerae, N. viridis, and D. aberiae exhibited higher heat tolerance and greater CTmax (48.83 ± 0.15 to 49.65 ± 0.13) than Pl. citri, Ps. longispinus, and Ps. calceolariae (46.95 ± 0.17 to 48.32 ± 0.06). Although not all thermal traits differed significantly among life stages, adults had considerably longer HKDT than 3rd instar nymphs across species. Species differed in thermal responses and, in the context of microhabitat adaptations, produced vulnerability patterns consistent with each species’ thermal tolerance. Thermal safety margins declined as Tmax increased, especially for species with lower CTmax. Combining species thermal rankings with environmental exposure revealed a complex, spatially variable risk landscape. These findings support incorporating thermal safety margin metrics into management strategies to enhance agricultural sustainability under climate warming.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -