Modelling the time–temperature relationship in cold injury and effect of high‐temperature interruptions on survival in a chill‐sensitive collembolan

Abstract

1. Temperature‐ and time‐dependent mortalities were studied and modelled in insects exposed in regimes with constant and alternating temperatures. In these experiments, freezing was not a cause of death. 2. Survival rates at a range of constant low temperatures (– 5 to + 1 °C) and for different exposure periods (1–14 days) were measured in the summer acclimated springtail Orchesella cincta. 3. Daily interruptions of the cold exposure with short intervals at high temperature reduced mortality or slowed the increase of mortality. This effect was stronger at higher temperature (19 vs 5 and 12 °C) and increased with the duration of the interruption (0·25–2 h). 4. The injury was reversible when the cold exposure was limited to 2 days. 5. Survival in desiccated animals (14% water loss) was reduced. 6. It is suggested that the mortality of summer acclimated springtails is caused by a complex metabolic disorder and membrane changes at low temperatures.