Data from: Evolution determines how global warming and pesticide exposure will shape predator–prey interactions with vector mosquitoes

How evolution may mitigate the effects of global warming and pesticide
exposure on predator–prey interactions is directly relevant for vector
control. Using a space-for-time substitution approach, we addressed how
4°C warming and exposure to the pesticide endosulfan shape the predation
on Culex pipiens mosquitoes by damselfly predators from replicated low-
and high-latitude populations. Although warming was only lethal for the
mosquitoes, it reduced predation rates on these prey. Possibly, under
warming escape speeds of the mosquitoes increased more than the attack
efficiency of the predators. Endosulfan imposed mortality and induced
behavioral changes (including increased filtering and thrashing and a
positional shift away from the bottom) in mosquito larvae. Although the
pesticide was only lethal for the mosquitoes, it reduced predation rates
by the low-latitude predators. This can be explained by the combination of
the evolution of a faster life history and associated higher
vulnerabilities to the pesticide (in terms of growth rate and lowered
foraging activity) in the low-latitude predators and pesticide-induced
survival selection in the mosquitoes. Our results suggest that predation
rates on mosquitoes at the high latitude will be reduced under warming
unless predators evolve toward the current low-latitude phenotype or
low-latitude predators move poleward.