What two main factors primarily affect insect growth?

Insect growth is significantly influenced by environmental conditions, particularly time and temperature. Temperature is a critical factor because it affects metabolic rates and developmental processes in insects. Warmer temperatures can accelerate growth, increase reproduction rates, and potentially lead to more generations within a season. Conversely, colder temperatures may slow down development and can even halt growth entirely.

Time relates to the life cycle of insects, including the duration of each developmental stage (egg, larva, pupa, adult). The amount of time insects spend in each of these stages can vary based on temperature, leading to variations in growth rates. Together, time and temperature create a foundation for how quickly or slowly an insect will grow, impacting population dynamics and pest management strategies in horticulture.

While moisture, light, food availability, habitat, size, and weight all play roles in insect life, they are not the primary factors driving growth rates in the same direct manner that time and temperature do. For example, while food availability is essential for sustenance and can affect overall health and reproduction, it does not inherently dictate the rate at which an insect will progress through its developmental stages like temperature does.