Rain Downpours Affect Survival and Development of Insect Herbivores: The Specter of Climate Change?

Heavy downpours may profoundly affect the development and survival of small organisms such as insects. Here, we examined direct (physically on the insects) and indirect (plant‐mediated) effects of simulated downpours on the performance of caterpillars of two lepidopteran herbivores (Plutella xylostella and Pieris brassicae). Downpours had a strong negative direct effect on the survival of P. xylostella. Caterpillar disturbance by rain and recorded microclimatic cooling by 5°C may explain extended immature development of both species. Changes in the frequency and intensity of precipitation events due to climate change could seriously impair and disrupt trophic interactions, ultimately destabilizing communities. Photo credit: Cong Chen. This photograph illustrates the article “Rain Downpours Affect Survival and Development of Insect Herbivores: The Specter of Climate Change?” by Cong Chen, Jeffrey A. Harvey, Arjen Biere, and Rieta Gols published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.281