How does high temperature affect insect growth?

High temperatures have a significant impact on insect growth, often leading to growth cessation in many species. As temperatures rise, insects can experience physiological stress that disrupts their normal growth and development cycles. Extreme heat can induce stress responses in insects, affecting their metabolic rates, feeding behavior, and reproductive capabilities.

While some insects may initially thrive in warmth, excessively high temperatures can lead to conditions that are detrimental to their survival. For instance, growth and development might slow down or halt altogether, impacting their lifecycle stages, such as molting and transitioning into adulthood. This disruption can ultimately affect population dynamics, as high temperatures may lead to decreased survival rates and lower reproductive success.

In contrast, while high temperatures may sometimes encourage faster reproduction in certain species under optimal conditions, this is not universally applicable across all insect types and may vary significantly depending on the species and extent of heat exposure. Other factors like humidity and available resources also play critical roles in determining how insects respond to elevated temperatures.