Thermal tolerance data

Research hypothesis
We first hypothesized that acclimation improves tolerance to heat and cold in the life stage of T. batrachopa and that the response to acclimation differs for each life stage. Secondly, we hypothesized that pre-exposure to cold and warm temperatures improves the survival of each T. batrachopa life stage, and survival differs among life stages.
Notable findings
The life stages of T. batrachopa showed significant variation in their thermal tolerance. The acclimation ability of T. batrachopa varied with acclimation temperatures and life stages, and the results were pronounced for larval stages. The larval stages had higher CTmin and CTmax than adult moths across all acclimation temperatures. Instar 4 larvae were the most heat and cold-tolerant after acclimation in all temperatures. Pre-exposure for 2h and exposure for 2h didn’t significantly improve each life stage's survival. However, the adult moths had a higher %survival than larval stages after RHH and RCH.

Our data was collected to determine the T. batrachopa's ability to adapt and survive unfavourable temperatures. The thermal tolerance assay were performed on larval and adult moths stages of this pests since they are key or damaging life stages.

The data can be interpreted by understanding the impact that acclimation temperatures, and pre-exposure temperatures have on survival of T. batrachopa. Temperature has a great influence on development and survival of insect species. Our study addressed the influence of temperature variations on T. batrachopa life stages. This will help to understand how T. batrachopa survives temperatures variations in the natural habitat due to climated change.