Thermal acclimation capacity of Jack Beardsley mealybug (Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi) to survive in a warming world

Abstract

Abstract The study of thermal tolerance and acclimation capacity in Jack Beardsley mealybug, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel and Miller is the crucial step in determining their abilities to cope with climate change. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine the effects of acclimation temperatures on the changes in thermal tolerance of P. jackbeardsleyi. The influences of acclimation temperature at moderate (25 °C) and high (35 °C) temperatures on their lower and upper thermal limits were measured composed of critical thermal minimum (CTmin), maximum (CTmax), chill coma temperature (CCT) and heat coma temperature (HCT) for first instar nymphs and adults. The important information derived from this study revealed that the upper thermal limits of adults are constrained to a relative narrow range that will make them sensitive to relative small changes in temperatures, whilst all mean upper thermal indices at 35 °C were significantly higher than at 25 °C for nymphs. For this highlight notice, nymphs have more potential to change their upper thermal limits which will allow them to withstand high temperatures in the field. These results are a sign to warn us that P. jackbeardsleyi could become highly noxious which cause severe outbreaks damage to the crops in the tropics under global warming.