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Global warming favours light-coloured insects in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Dirk Zeuss

    (Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg)

  • Roland Brandl

    (Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg)

  • Martin Brändle

    (Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg)

  • Carsten Rahbek

    (Center for Macroecology, Climate and Evolution, the Natural History Museum of Denmark
    Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus)

  • Stefan Brunzel

    (Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg)

Abstract

Associations between biological traits of animals and climate are well documented by physiological and local-scale studies. However, whether an ecophysiological phenomenon can affect large-scale biogeographical patterns of insects is largely unknown. Insects absorb energy from the sun to become mobile, and their colouration varies depending on the prevailing climate where they live. Here we show, using data of 473 European butterfly and dragonfly species, that dark-coloured insect species are favoured in cooler climates and light-coloured species in warmer climates. By comparing distribution maps of dragonflies from 1988 and 2006, we provide support for a mechanistic link between climate, functional traits and species that affects geographical distributions even at continental scales. Our results constitute a foundation for better forecasting the effect of climate change on many insect groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Zeuss & Roland Brandl & Martin Brändle & Carsten Rahbek & Stefan Brunzel, 2014. "Global warming favours light-coloured insects in Europe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4874
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4874
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