Global Warming: Impact on Insects

Global warming and climate change are the terms that we come across daily in news papers. Global warming refers to increase in average temperature of earth’s atmosphere and it can have various causes. But it is most commonly associated with human activity and specifically the release of green house gases (GHGs). In the long run it will lead to climate change. Various sectors viz, energy supply, industries, agriculture and transportation significantly contribute to emission of GHGs. Similarly global warming can also have impact on health, agriculture, water resources, diverse animal and insect species and also delimitations like glaciers. Under changing climate, the crop yield will be affected by higher temperature, CO2 concentration, weeds, diseases and insect pests. Effects of climate change could be direct through the influence that weather may have on insect’s physiology and behaviour. In addition, indirect effects can also occur through the influence on the insects’ host plants, natural enemies and inter specific interactions with other insects.