Rising atmospheric CO2 levels are interfering with how insects, like the cotton bollworm, find suitable host plants for laying their eggs. A study found that these pests use subtle CO2 signals from young, nutritious leaves to locate them. With increased CO2, this signal becomes less distinct, causing the moths to lay their eggs on older, less ideal leaves. This can lead to lower survival rates and reduced body weight for the larvae. The research suggests that this sensory confusion could be exploited for eco-friendly pest control, but also highlights how climate change can disrupt fundamental biological processes in insects.

Source: Earth.Com