How does climate change affect pollinating insects? Challenges and adaptation strategies

Abstract

Pollinating insects play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning and food production, yet ongoing climate change increasingly affects their performance and survival. Rising mean temperatures and the growing frequency and intensity of heat waves lead to the exceedance of thermal tolerance limits, resulting in reduced physiological performance and increased mortality. The relationship between body temperature and organismal performance is captured by the thermal performance curve, which provides a useful framework for assessing pollinator vulnerability to thermal stress, including the effects of sublethal temperatures. Responses to warming are strongly influenced by traits such as body size, degree of melanization, and the ability to regulate body temperature through behavioral and physiological mechanisms. Strategies to avoid overheating differ among species and across life stages, and their effectiveness depends on microclimatic conditions and interactions with other environmental stressors. The complexity of these processes makes predicting future pollinator responses challenging and highlights the need for integrative approaches combining ecology, physiology, and climate science.