Influence of soil moisture on egg cold hardiness in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridiidae)

Abstract.  The present study investigates the influence of environmental moisture on cold hardiness of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria . The water content of locust eggs kept in soil at 30 °C varies according to the moisture content of the substrate. In turn, it can significantly affect the supercooling point of locust eggs (range from −26 to −14.8 °C) and the mortality when exposed to subzero temperatures. Environmental moisture influences the supercooling capacity of eggs and their survival at low temperature. When locust eggs of the same water content are exposed to subzero temperatures under different soil moistures, their mortality varies between short-time exposure and long-time exposure at subzero temperatures. Given a short-time exposure, mortality in wet soil is lower than in dry soil due to the buffering effect of soil water against temperature change. The pattern of egg mortality is reversed after long-time exposure at low temperature, suggesting that inoculative freezing may be an important mortality factor. It is suggested that interactions between soil moisture and low temperature can influence the cold hardiness of locust eggs, and partial dehydration is beneficial to over-wintering eggs of the migratory locust.     

光照与飞蝗卵耐寒性的关系

用热电偶法测定长光照(L：D=14：10)和短光照(L：D=10：14)条件下饲养的飞蝗所产卵的过冷却点;并对长、短光照组分别设置5个温度(0、-5、-10、-15和-20℃)处理,每一温度又设置5个时间(6h,1、3、5和10d)处理,然后检查其28℃的孵化数,以此计算低温存活率和半致死温度。长、短光照组卵的过冷却点没有差异;两种光照条件下的低温存活率随着卵处理温度的降低和时间的延长而下降,在-5和-10℃时短光照组的低温存活率显著高于长光照组;卵的半致死温度随低温处理时间的延长而升高,短光照组的半致死温度明显低于长光照组。接受短光照的飞蝗母本能产出耐寒性较高的卵,暗示秋天所产的卵能更成功地越冬。     

Localization of electrical current flow across the chorionated unfertilized egg of the locust,Locusta migratoria.

Summary

Extracellular currents near the surface of the electrically excitable egg of Locusta migratoria have been studied through the combined use of the 2-dimensional vibrating probe and an intracellular microelectrode. Intracellular current injection increased extracellular current densities to levels readily detectable by the vibrating probe, and it has been possible to show that injected current traverses the egg in the posterior end containing the micropylar zone. Extracellular currents could not be detected during the rising, plateau or falling phases of the long duration (>100s) action potential in the egg. Increases in current density during the hyperpolarizing after potential which lasts for 6–10 min after termination of the action potential were also restricted to the posterior end of the egg. The results suggest that the primary region at which current traverses the chorionated egg is near or at the micropylar zone.     

沙葱萤叶甲的过冷却能力与抗寒性

【目的】沙葱萤叶甲Galeruca daurica Joannis于2009年开始在内蒙古草原暴发成灾, 发生地区不断扩大, 危害日趋严重, 严重影响内蒙古草原畜牧业的可持续发展和生态安全。低温是影响昆虫生长发育和存活的关键因子, 而昆虫对低温的耐受性决定了其越冬存活率。了解沙葱萤叶甲的过冷却点及抗寒能力有助于预测其分布范围及种群数量动态。【方法】采用热电偶法, 在室内测定了沙葱萤叶甲各发育阶段的过冷却点; 比较了幼虫在不同低温条件下（-6~-14℃）暴露2 h及在-5℃低温条件下暴露不同时间（0.5~8 d）的存活率。【结果】沙葱萤叶甲不同发育阶段的过冷却点存在显著差异, 从低到高依次为卵（-29.8℃）、 1龄幼虫（-14.6℃）、 2龄幼虫（-13.3℃）、 蛹（-12.1℃）、 3龄幼虫（-10.2℃）和成虫（-9.0℃）; 越冬卵12月和1月的过冷却点最低, 2月的过冷却点最高。随着处理温度的降低和处理时间的延长, 幼虫的存活率降低。1, 2和3龄幼虫在-5℃下的半致死时间（Ltime₅₀）分别为3.84, 3.80和2.28 d, 低温处理2 h后半致死温度（Ltemp₅₀）分别为-10.1, -9.1和-8.5℃, 高于其过冷却点。【结论】说明沙葱萤叶甲幼虫为不耐寒冷型(chill-intolerant)。     

Geographic variation in embryonic diapause,cold‐hardiness and life cycles in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in China

To investigate geographic adaptation of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria in China, locusts were collected from six localities, ranging from 47.4°N to 19.2°N. Using offspring from the various populations, we compared embryonic diapause, reproductive traits, cold‐hardiness and adult body size. The incidence of embryonic diapause was influenced by the genetic makeup, parental photoperiod, and incubation temperature of the eggs. The northern strain (47.4°N) produced diapause eggs under all photoperiodic conditions, whereas the other strains produced a higher proportion of diapause eggs when exposed to a short photoperiod. The incubation temperature greatly influenced diapause induction. At a low temperature, all eggs entered diapause, even some of those from a tropical strain (19.2°N) in which no diapause was induced at high temperatures. Photoperiodic changes during the parental generation affected the incidence of embryonic diapause. Diapause intensity decreased with decreasing original latitude. Cold hardiness was compared by exposing eggs in diapause to either ?10 or ?20°C for various periods; the northern strain was more cold‐hardy than the southern strain, although some eggs in the tropical strain were probably not in a state of diapause. Adult body size and head width showed a complicated pattern of variation along the latitudinal gradient, whereas egg pod size (egg pod width and egg number) and hatchling weight tended to decrease with decreasing latitude. These results reveal that L. migratoria has adapted to local environments and that the latitudinal gradient appears to play an important role in shaping L. migratoria life cycle and development.     

飞蝗不同地理种群抗寒性研究

新疆和硕、哈密和天津北大港飞蝗种群的过冷却点随发育阶段而升高,在胚胎发育的各期都具有较低的过冷却点。飞蝗卵的过冷却点在这3个地理种群间无明显差异。雄性蝻和成虫双雌性的过冷却能力强,和硕飞蝗的成虫过冷点比北大港的飞蝗成虫要低。低温胁迫可诱导蝗卵以糖元为朱料合成抗冻保护剂,和硕飞蝗种群的卵主要合成甘油和山梨醇,北大港飞蝗种群的卵主要合成海藻糖,而哈密飞蝗种群的卵却可以合成甘油、山梨醇和海藻糖等抗冻保护剂。糖元磷酸化酶的总量随发育阶段而下降,但热休克和冷休克并不改变其总量,冷休克在胚胎发育的各阶段可以使其活性升高10%-40%,北大港飞蝗种群和哈密飞蝗种群的蝗卵经热休克2h处理后,糖元磷酸化酶的变化与在冷休克下的情况相似,而和硕飞蝗处群胚胎发育的Ⅱ期,热休克诱导糖元磷酸化酶活性的升高程度较低。     

Differences in egg thermotolerance between tropical and temperate populations of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acridiidae)

The migratory locust Locusta migratoria L., which is widely distributed throughout the world, exhibits within- and between-population variation in cold tolerance. To understand physiological adaptation in populations, we studied the genetic basis of thermotolerance in Hainan (tropical) and Liaoning (temperate) populations and measured expression of Hsp70 and Hsp90 mRNA in both populations at low (0 degrees C) and high temperatures (40 degrees C). Phenotypic variation of thermotolerance is heritable. Heritable characteristics differed among different stages of locust egg development, as well as among different measures of thermotolerance. Nuclear genetic factors, rather than cytoplasmic factors, contribute to differences in cold tolerance between the tropical and temperate populations of the migratory locust; for heat tolerance, maternal effects were involved in three stages of egg development. Expression of Hsp90 mRNA was induced in temperate population after heat shock (40 degrees C x 12h), whereas expression of Hsp70 and 90 was induced in tropical population after cold shock (0 degrees C x 12h). We suggest that thermotolerance of locust eggs has a complex genetic basis and heat shock proteins may be involved in differences of thermotolerance between locust populations.     

Factors affecting cold hardiness in the small striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta undulata

The striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta undulata Kutschera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a pest of cruciferous crops. It overwinters as an adult. During winter in northern European countries, such as Estonia, it is subject to sometimes severe temperatures that may fluctuate daily, over the season, and between seasons. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that affect its cold hardiness. In a series of five experiments, the effects of food plant, starvation, and acclimatization on the beetles’ ability to supercool and survive exposure to sub‐zero temperatures was investigated. The supercooling points (SCP) of overwintered beetles field‐collected from white mustard and Indian mustard differed from those caught from white cabbage and oilseed rape, but these differences disappeared after a 4‐day period of starvation at room temperature, indicating that gut content probably influences the potential to supercool. The duration and temperature of acclimation affected SCP in overwintered beetles. The decrease in SCP was more rapid at 22 °C than at 0 °C, probably because of faster dehydration and gut evacuation at the higher temperature. Acclimation at 0 °C for a week increased the ability of overwintered beetles to survive sub‐zero temperatures, lowering both SCP and lower lethal temperature (LLT₅₀). Some pre‐freeze mortality occurred; SCP and LLT₅₀ were correlated but the latter was a constant 3 °C higher than the former. The SCP of field‐collected pre‐winter beetles decreased gradually during the autumn. It also decreased when field‐collected pre‐winter beetles were acclimated at 0 °C in the laboratory, attaining its lowest level after 18 days. Phyllotreta undulata is well‐adapted to unstable and sometimes severe winter conditions; its high potential to supercool enhances its cold hardiness and ability to survive short periods at sub‐zero temperatures although it cannot survive freezing of its body fluids.     

寄主对桔小实蝇耐寒性的影响

为了研究寄主营养对桔小实蝇耐寒性的作用,测定了以15种果蔬饲养的桔小实蝇1日龄蛹的过冷却点(supercooling points,SCP); 再选取南瓜、西红柿、柑桔、番石榴和杨桃等5种果蔬,测定了桔小实蝇3龄老熟幼虫、1日龄蛹、3日龄蛹、5日龄蛹、7日龄蛹和雌雄成虫的过冷却点,并观察了1日龄蛹的低温存活力。结果表明：（1）15种果蔬饲养所得的桔小实蝇1日龄蛹SCP均值在-11.03℃～-13.17℃,不同寄主发育的桔小实蝇SCP值存在显著性差异,其中以取食蒲桃的最高,为-11.03℃,取食苦瓜的最低,为-13.17℃。（2）5种果蔬饲养所得的桔小实蝇各虫态的SCP均值存在极显著差异(F_(4,863)＝35.6,P<0.01); 同一寄主上的桔小实蝇不同虫态之间SCP均值也达到极显著性差异(F_(6,863)＝392.9,P<0.01); 且寄主和发育龄期之间存在着极显著的交互作用(F_(24,863)＝9.4,P<0.01)。（3）桔小实蝇各发育阶段,SCP值表现一定变化： 老熟幼虫发育至1日龄蛹,SCP值变化不大; 蛹发育至3、5和7天过冷却能力明显增强,降至-20℃左右,但他们之间没有明显区别; 羽化后3～5天的成虫SCP值又升高至-10℃左右。老熟幼虫、1日龄蛹和2～3日龄成虫与3日龄、5日龄和7日龄蛹的SCP值之间有显著性差异。（4）将5种果蔬饲养所得的桔小实蝇1日龄蛹置于6℃和-3℃下进行较长时间(1～8天)和较短时间(1～8 h)的低温处理,发现番石榴、杨桃和南瓜发育的蛹经低温处理后的校正羽化率较西红柿和柑桔发育的蛹高; 同样在0℃、3℃、6℃和9℃处理(2天)的实验中,得出相似的结果。因此,本实验结果表明桔小实蝇幼虫由于生活寄主的不同使得其下一代蛹的耐寒性产生了差异,引起其差异的原因值得进一步研究。     

滞育七星瓢虫的代谢适应与抗寒性评价

滞育是部分昆虫固有的适应逆境胁迫的遗传属性,七星瓢虫具有显著的滞育现象。本文以七星瓢虫雌成虫为试材,研究正常发育、滞育及滞育解除后3组处理试虫糖、脂、蛋白等关键代谢物质含量波动规律,总结滞育期间的代谢适应特点,解析其与过冷却能力的相关性,探索滞育对七星瓢虫逆境胁迫耐受力的促升效应,丰富七星瓢虫的滞育基础理论研究。利用物质干湿重差数法测定七星瓢虫的含水量;利用氯仿-甲醇(体积比为2∶1)法抽提除去自由水个体的脂肪;总糖、海藻糖、甘油、山梨醇及总蛋白的测定采用标准曲线法,利用SUN-II型智能昆虫过冷却点测定仪测定七星瓢虫的过冷却点(supercooling point,SCP)。结果表明,七星瓢虫滞育组含水量(58.11%±6.55%)显著低于正常发育组(68.49%±2.26%)和滞育解除组(65.84%±4.02%)(F=8.15,P0.01),滞育解除后含水量恢复至正常发育组水平;滞育组总糖(10.60±0.54μg/mg)、糖原(8.72±0.62μg/mg)、脂肪(173.66±19.01μg/mg)含量远远高于正常发育组和滞育解除组(F=46.57,P=0.0006;F=114.25,P0.0001;F=8.48,P0.01);滞育组总蛋白含量(49.20±3.80μg/mg)显著低于正常发育组(71.02±6.15μg/mg)和滞育解除组(69.45±4.66μg/mg)(F=46.57,P=0.0006);滞育组中海藻糖(1.31±0.27μg/mg)、甘油(1.74±0.50μg/mg)、山梨醇(9.84±3.02μg/mg)含量与正常发育组、滞育解除组无显著性差异(F=0.79,P=0.4946;F=1.33,P=0.3004;F=1.69,P=0.2387)。七星瓢虫在滞育条件下其过冷却点(-16.53℃±1.44℃)显著低于正常发育组(-14.07℃±1.33℃)和滞育解除组(-15.29℃±2.10℃)(F=13.47,P0.0001),经过滞育低温驯化后滞育解除组过冷却点较对照组有所降低。滞育诱发七星瓢虫发生显著的代谢适应,蛋白含量显著降低,抑制新陈代谢进程;糖脂含量显著升高,保障滞育维持及解除后发育的能量需求;七星瓢虫滞育属糖原积累型;滞育个体过冷却点大幅下降,耐寒性显著提升。     

Geographic variation in cold hardiness of eggs and neonate larvae of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris

Cold hardiness of eggs and neonate larvae of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Pascoe) was examined using six geographical populations in Japan. Particular attention was paid to cold hardiness of eggs and neonate larvae of the subtropical population (Ishigaki), because the east Japan populations are considered to have been introduced from a subtropical area, and the overwintering stage in the east Japan populations is incidentally shifted from the original mature larval stage to the egg or neonate larval stages. When the eggs were exposed to low temperatures for 1 h, the decrease in hatchability became significant at –12°C in the southernmost two populations (Ishigaki and Naze), and at –16°C in the northern populations. After 1 h exposure to –20°C, few eggs could hatch in the Ishigaki population, whereas 27–55% of the eggs survived in the northern populations. Pre-chilling of the eggs at 10°C for 10 days enhanced the cold hardiness in all populations. This effect was particularly distinct in the subtropical population; the eggs of the Ishigaki population became as cold hardy as those of the northern populations after acclimation. These results suggest that the subtropical population is capable of establishing itself in east Japan, where the winter is cold.     

Circadian rhythm changes in toxicity of the insecticide dieldrin on larvae of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria migratorioides.

Circadian changes in toxicity of the insecticide dieldrin were documented in the larvae (fifth stage) of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides. Insects were housed under light (L): dark (D) = 12:12, with L from 0800 to 2000 h. Topical applications of dieldrin at fixed clock hours, with doses ranging from 0.1 to 8 micrograms/gm body weight, were carried out in a series of experiments on male and female larvae. Twenty-four h after dosing, mortality was recorded to quantify the median lethal dose (LD50) values with reference to time of treatment. Experiments were performed during February, early and late June, and August. Larvae were more susceptible to dieldrin when dosed during the night rather than during the day [analysis of variance (ANOVA); p less than 0.05]. Moreover, female larvae were less susceptible to dieldrin than were male larvae (ANOVA; p less than 0.05). Cosinor analysis revealed circadian rhythms in susceptibility-resistance to the insecticide in all experiments except no. 2. Toxicity was found to be greatest during the nighttime. Cosinor analysis of pooled data of the four experiments documented circadian rhythmicity to toxicity of dieldrin in female but not in male larvae. Regardless of sex, the timing of least susceptibility (greatest resistance and highest LD50 value) to the insecticide, dieldrin, was around 1500.     

Wing dimorphism in the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria: differentiation of wing morph and phase polyphenism

A short‐winged morph was recently discovered in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. It is different from the normal, long‐winged morph not only in forewing length but also in hind femur length, displaying a dimorphism. To understand the significance of this dimorphism, other morphological characters were compared between the two morphs, and the time of differentiation of wing‐pad length was investigated. Wing weights were heavier in the long‐winged morph than in the short‐winged morph. This result showed that the short‐winged morph is not formed by a failure of wing expansion. No obvious morph‐specific differences were observed in wing venation, but wing allometry studies indicated that the distal areas of the fore‐ and hindwings were disproportionally reduced in the short‐winged morph compared to the long‐winged morph. The morphological differentiation of the wing pad between the two morphs was observed at the penultimate nymphal stage. The flight muscle was well developed in the two morphs, and no sign of flight muscle histolysis was detected in either morph after adult emergence. An analysis of adult body dimensions suggested that the density‐dependent phase shifts known for the long‐winged morph of this locust were also exhibited by the short‐winged morph, demonstrating that these shifts are not specific to the migratory long‐winged morph.     

东亚飞蝗耐高温能力及其体温调节行为

为明确东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis的耐高温能力和体温调节行为, 采用高温饲养、提供辐射热源和风力等方法, 对东亚飞蝗各发育期的高温耐受能力、体温（body temperature, Tb）与环境温度（air temperature, Ta）和辐射温度（radiant temperature, Tr）的关系、飞蝗对辐射热的选择行为、体温升高速率以及辐射角度和风力对体温的影响进行了研究。结果表明: 东亚飞蝗44℃下饲养, LT90 最长为326.4 h; 50℃下, LT90可达20.6 h。无辐射热条件下, Tb随Ta的上升而升高, 当Ta升至32℃, 蝗虫出现体温调节行为; Ta以0.5℃/min速率上升时, 出现体温波动的个体数占试虫总数的53.7%, Tb平均波动温差为1.15℃, 平均波动时间为5.2 min, Tb平均波动起始温度为47.2℃, 成虫致死时间略长于若虫。有辐射热条件下, 随笼顶辐射温度的逐渐升高, 飞蝗趋向选择温度相对较低的笼底, 试虫体温调节较无辐射热条件下强; 辐射角度和风力均对飞蝗的体温有显著影响。结果显示东亚飞蝗对高温的耐受能力较强, 并且具有明显的体温调节行为, 可调节体温达到最佳生理状态。     

Metarhizium spp. isolates from madagascar: Morphology and effect of high temperature on growth and infectivity to the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria

Five strains ofMetarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin and one strain ofMetarhizium flavoviride Gams &; Rozsypal originally isolated in Madagascar were studied. Measurements of conidia and, for the first time, also of blastospores produced in a liquid medium were used for species and variety determination. Blastospores ofM. flavoviride were more homogenous in their size than those ofM. anisopliae. Growth at high temperatures between 25° and 40°C showed that 4 isolates ofM. anisopliae grew at 36°C andM. flavoviride grew at 38°C. Using alternating day/night temperatures (8/16 h) the three strains tested could also tolerate 40°/25°C. In bioassays, fiveMetarhizium spp. isolates were tested against third and fourth instar larvae ofLocusta migratoria (L.) at two alternating day/night temperatures of 30°/25°C and 36°/25°C. In the cooler regime, all strains caused a mortality of 50% within 5.9 to 8.5 days (median lethal time), while in the 36°/25°C treatment only the thermophilicM. flavoviride and oneM. anisopliae strain isolated from a soil sample gave comparable results with median lethal times of 6.8 and 7.3 days, respectively.     

Outbreaks, gene flow and effective population size in the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria: a regional-scale comparative survey

The potential effect of population outbreaks on within and between genetic variation of populations in pest species has rarely been assessed. In this study, we compare patterns of genetic variation in different sets of historically frequently outbreaking and rarely outbreaking populations of an agricultural pest of major importance, the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria . We analyse genetic variation within and between 24 populations at 14 microsatellites in Western Europe, where only ancient and low-intensity outbreaks have been reported (non-outbreaking populations), and in Madagascar and Northern China, where frequent and intense outbreak events have been recorded over the last century (outbreaking populations). Our comparative survey shows that (i) the long-term effective population size is similar in outbreaking and non-outbreaking populations, as evidenced by similar estimates of genetic diversity, and (ii) gene flow is substantially larger among outbreaking populations than among non-outbreaking populations, as evidenced by a fourfold to 30-fold difference in F _ST values. We discuss the implications for population dynamics and the consequences for management strategies of the observed patterns of genetic variation in L. migratoria populations with contrasting historical outbreak frequency and extent.     

Measurements of locomotor activity in hatchlings of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria: effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors

Abstract. The effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on locomotor activity in crowd‐reared first‐stadium nymphs of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria are investigated under continuous light conditions using an actograph apparatus. Nymphs show monomodal or bimodal patterns of locomotor activity with respect to the time after the start of measurements, depending on the age. Locomotor activity is suppressed by the presence of grass in nymphs aged 0–2 days old but a peak of activity observed shortly after hatching is not suppressed. The results suggest that newly‐hatched nymphs may try to disperse from the hatching site. Nymphs show higher locomotor activity levels under moist conditions than under dry conditions during the first 5‐h period of measurements. This enhanced locomotor activity may constitute attempts to avoid high humidity. Under dim‐light conditions (2 × 10^?2 Wm^?2), locomotor activity is suppressed during the first half day and increases to a high level thereafter in both grass‐fed and unfed individuals. This increased activity might indicate a possible involvement of circadian rhythms. Background colour has no significant effect on the locomotor activity. The present study provides new aspects of behaviour in nymphs as well as baseline data for behavioural analysis of locust locomotion in relation to phase polyphenism.     

The dark-colour-inducing neurohormone of locusts: strain-dependent and phase-independent effects on adults of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria

Abstract.  An albino strain that had originated from Okinawa, Japan, and a normally coloured strain that had originated from West Africa, were used to study the darkening response to injection of graded doses of dark-colour-inducing neurohormone of locusts (DCIN) ([His⁷]-corazonin) of gregarious and solitarious adults of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria (L.). By repeated crossings, congenic albinos and normal phenotypes were obtained, both with a 99.6% West African genome, and their darkening response was compared with the original Okinawa and West African strains. Within each of these four strains, no difference was found in DCIN-induced darkening between gregarious and solitarious adults despite previous publications in the literature claiming an absence of 'fire-darkening' in gregarious adults of this species. Okinawa albino adults showed a markedly higher darkening response than the other three strains, including albinos with a 99.6% West African genome. This finding demonstrates that the differential darkening response of the Okinawa albinos is caused not by albinism, but by the geographical origin (Okinawa) of the strain. This is the first report of geographical-strain-dependent differences in the response of an insect to a neurohormone. The darkening response of adults reached a maximum on day 10 after injection; subsequently, the dark colour faded slowly. Adults injected 1 day after their moult showed a greater darkening response than those injected after 14 or 28 days.     

Allopatric populations of the invasive larch casebearer differ in cold tolerance and phenology

1. Traits of non-native insect herbivores may vary spatially due to local genetic differences, rapid post-introduction evolution, and/or novel host plant associations. 2. Populations of larch casebearer, Coleophora laricella Hübner, originally from Europe have likely been isolated for > 60 years in North America on eastern larch, Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch, and western larch, Larix occidentalis Nutt. 3. This study investigated cold tolerance and phenology of larvae collected from eastern larch in Minnesota, and western larch in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, U.S.A. 4. Mean supercooling points of larvae from Minnesota were up to 10 °C lower than supercooling points of larvae from Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. 5. At ambient environmental conditions in spring, overwintering larvae from Minnesota required a mean (± SE) of 172 ± 19 degree-days above 5 °C to break winter quiescence and actively wander, significantly more than required by larvae from Oregon (66 ± 4), Idaho (64 ± 1), and Montana (60 ± 2). 6. Across all assays and despite substantial latitudinal and elevational variation among western larch sites, no significant differences in any traits were detected among larvae collected from western larch. 7. Spatial variation in cold tolerance and phenological traits of larch casebearer may be attributable to insect genetic differences and/or host plant effects, but exact mechanisms remain unknown. Differences in thermal biology between regions may result in disparate effects of climate change on insect populations and should be accounted for when forecasting insect dynamics across large spatial scales.