Dry acclimation elevates tolerance to multiple stresses including low/high temperatures and insecticides in Liposcelis bostrychophila

Abstract

The economic impact of the serious pest Liposcelis bostrychophila has recently increased due to its high fecundity, rapid population growth rates, and extended adult lifespan. Furthermore, this species has developed significant resistance to various insecticides commonly used in global grain storage systems. To devise more effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against L. bostrychophila, a thorough understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying its resistance is essential. In this study, we investigated the species’ tolerance to desiccation, as Liposcelis species are known to be sensitive to dry conditions. We observed that the desiccation tolerance of L. bostrychophila adults varied depending on their prior exposure to dry environments. Adults subjected to initial dry conditions exhibited enhanced tolerance to subsequent desiccation stress, which is designated as dry acclimation. Moreover, adults with increased desiccation tolerance due to prior exposure demonstrated heightened resistance not only to desiccation but also to other stressors, including toxic chemicals (ethanol, β-cyfluthrin, and chlorfenapyr) and extreme temperatures, both low and high. These findings strongly suggest that tolerance to various stressors is not an inherent or fixed trait of the species but rather a dynamic characteristic influenced by prior environmental exposure. Understanding the environmental conditions in which L. bostrychophila develops is therefore crucial for accurately assessing its sensitivities to different stresses.