Tropics insects 'face extinction' - BBC

Source: BBC News

Page last updated at 00:38 GMT, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 01:38 UK

Tropics insects 'face extinction'

Many tropical insects face extinction by the end of this
century unless they adapt to the rising global temperatures
predicted, US scientists have said.

Researchers led by the University of Washington said insects
in the tropics were much more sensitive to temperature
changes than those elsewhere.

-snip-

The scientists said changes in insect numbers could have
secondary effects on plant pollination and food supplies.

In the research published in Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, the US scientists studied how
temperature changes between 1950 and 2000 had affected
38 species of insects.

-snip-

"But once temperature gets above the thermal optimum,
fitness levels most likely decline quickly and there may
not be much they can do about it," he added.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7384807.stm

.

you'll be seeing a lot more of them in texas

The ones that "were going to be killed by deforestation" are already dead,
those affected by "acid rain" are in the temperate zone rather than the
tropics and those affected by "the ozone hole" are at (or near) the poles.

Don't worry though: I'm sure some of the refugee species will end up
near you to bring you comfort and joy in your denial!
:hi: