Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects

Insects can survive subzero temperatures by two main strategies: freeze tolerance and freeze avoidance. An array of techniques have been used to investigate the physiological limits of insects to low temperatures, such as differential scanning calorimetry, temperature-controlled cooling apparatus, t...

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Main Authors: Christopher M. Palmer, Katharina Siebke, David K. Yeates
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2004-08-01
Series:BioTechniques
Online Access:https://www.future-science.com/doi/10.2144/04372BI01
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author Christopher M. Palmer
Katharina Siebke
David K. Yeates
author_facet Christopher M. Palmer
Katharina Siebke
David K. Yeates
author_sort Christopher M. Palmer
collection DOAJ
description Insects can survive subzero temperatures by two main strategies: freeze tolerance and freeze avoidance. An array of techniques have been used to investigate the physiological limits of insects to low temperatures, such as differential scanning calorimetry, temperature-controlled cooling apparatus, thermocouples, and computer-controlled chart recording equipment. However, these techniques require animals to be stationary, precluding behavioral data. We used infrared video thermography to investigate cold adaptation in an alpine insect, expanding such investigations to include behavioral response as an indicator of physiological stress. This technique is noninvasive and provides a large amount of physiological information, such as supercooling points, lower lethal temperatures, and hemolymph melting points. Insect supercooling points in response to a constant cooling rate were variable; however, temperatures at the initiation of behavioral stress response were less variable. Assessments of supercooling points and lower lethal temperatures obtained in this way are more biologically meaningful because allowing unhindered movement of insects more closely resembles natural environments.
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1940-9818
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spelling doaj-art-0ed40781453f4e6d876f7f0c1bd55cbd2025-08-20T02:26:03ZengTaylor & Francis GroupBioTechniques0736-62051940-98182004-08-0137221221710.2144/04372BI01Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insectsChristopher M. Palmer0Katharina Siebke1David K. Yeates21The Australian National University1The Australian National University2CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, AustraliaInsects can survive subzero temperatures by two main strategies: freeze tolerance and freeze avoidance. An array of techniques have been used to investigate the physiological limits of insects to low temperatures, such as differential scanning calorimetry, temperature-controlled cooling apparatus, thermocouples, and computer-controlled chart recording equipment. However, these techniques require animals to be stationary, precluding behavioral data. We used infrared video thermography to investigate cold adaptation in an alpine insect, expanding such investigations to include behavioral response as an indicator of physiological stress. This technique is noninvasive and provides a large amount of physiological information, such as supercooling points, lower lethal temperatures, and hemolymph melting points. Insect supercooling points in response to a constant cooling rate were variable; however, temperatures at the initiation of behavioral stress response were less variable. Assessments of supercooling points and lower lethal temperatures obtained in this way are more biologically meaningful because allowing unhindered movement of insects more closely resembles natural environments.https://www.future-science.com/doi/10.2144/04372BI01
spellingShingle Christopher M. Palmer
Katharina Siebke
David K. Yeates
Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
BioTechniques
title Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
title_full Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
title_fullStr Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
title_full_unstemmed Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
title_short Infrared video thermography: a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
title_sort infrared video thermography a technique for assessing cold adaptation in insects
url https://www.future-science.com/doi/10.2144/04372BI01
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AT katharinasiebke infraredvideothermographyatechniqueforassessingcoldadaptationininsects
AT davidkyeates infraredvideothermographyatechniqueforassessingcoldadaptationininsects