The first proof of a possibility of change of temperature norms of insect development as a result of artificial selection for fast or slow development by the example of the red soldier bug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae)

For 3–4 generations, selection of the nymphs most rapidly and slowly developing at 28°C was performed in four families of the red soldier bug Pyrrhocoris apterus L. In each generation, duration of development of nymphs was determined at 5 constant temperatures from 20°C to 28°C. From these data the linear regression coefficient of the development rate against temperature (the development thermolability coefficient) for each generation was calculated. As a result of the selection the average duration of the nymph development was shortened or increased statistically significantly depending on its direction. The artificial selection for the development duration has been established to change not only this parameter, but also the temperature norms of the insect development. At selection for fast development the regression straight line slope (i.e., the regression coefficient value) increased statistically significantly, i.e., development became more dependent on temperature. As a rule, the temperature threshold of development increased. At selection for slow development the values of the regression coefficient and of the threshold decreased, but these differences were not statistically significant. The effect of artificial selection for the development duration on temperature norms of insect development has been revealed for the first time.