Is the colour of insects important in thermoregulation?
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The color of insects is important in thermoregulation. Dark colors, which are often achieved through melanin pigmentation, absorb heat more efficiently and can help insects maintain their body temperature within an optimal range . This is known as the Thermal Melanism Hypothesis (TMH) . Insects with darker body colors are able to inhabit colder areas due to their higher absorbance of solar radiation . The ability to thermoregulate through color can influence insect phenology, with darker-colored individuals being more active in early and late seasons and lighter-colored individuals being more active in mid-season . Additionally, the degree of melanization can affect the amount of heat absorption, with individuals with darker pigmentation experiencing greater increases in body temperature when heated . Overall, the color of insects plays a significant role in their thermoregulation and can impact their activity patterns and ability to cope with changing environmental conditions .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Yes, the coloration of insects is important in thermoregulation as it affects the relative absorption of solar radiation, which in turn influences their body temperature (Digby 1955, Watt 1968, Chappell and Whitman 1990, Forsman 2000, Fielding and Defoliart 2005). | |
| The paper states that colours in insects, such as wasps and bees, have confirmed linkages to thermoregulation, which is increasingly important in the face of global climate change. Therefore, the colour of insects is important in thermoregulation. | |
4 Citations | Yes, the colour of insects is important in thermoregulation. Dark colours, which are expressed using melanin, absorb heat more efficiently and play a role in determining body temperature in ectothermic insects. |
24 Apr 2023 | The paper states that body colour is a key trait for thermoregulation in insects, with darker colours absorbing more solar radiation and heating up faster. This suggests that the colour of insects is important in thermoregulation. |
| The paper mentions that adult odonates with dark colors and/or narrow thermal limits face local extinction, suggesting that color may play a role in thermoregulation. |
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