6.10. Environmental effects on development


The rate or manner of insect development or growth may depend upon a number of factors. These include the type and amount of food, the amount of moisture (for terrestrial species) and heat (measured as temperature), or the presence of environmental signals (e.g. photoperiod), mutagens and toxins, or other organisms, either predators or competitors. Two or more of these factors may interact to complicate interpretation of growth characteristics and patterns.

Chapter 6