Temperature can affect the ability of insects to tolerate prolonged period of food deprivation through altering the amountof energy storage, the speed of energy expenditure, or the threshold energy storage for survival. In this study, we examinedthe mechanistic basis of the temperature-dependence of starvation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster. Starvation resistancedecreased as the temperature experienced during starvation rose from 18 to 28 ̊C. This warming-mediated decrease instarvation resistance was due to accelerated energy expenditure. However, the threshold energy storage for survival wasnot affected by starvation temperature. Exposure to warm temperatures during feeding led D. melanogaster to accumulatemore energy reserves and thus to become more starvation resistant. This study highlights the important role played bytemperature in shaping the phenotypic responses of insects to starvation.

• Taehwan Jang(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Keonhee Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Kun Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Kwang Pum Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)