DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF CLIMATE-CHANGE ON INSECT HERBIVORES - AUCHENORRHYNCHA (HOMOPTERA)

1. Novel manipulations of local climate were employed to investigate h ow warmer winters with either wetter or drier summers would affect the Auchenorrhyncha, a major component of the insect fauna of grasslands. Direct and indirect effects of climate manipulation were found. 2. Su pplemented summer rainfall resulted in an increase in vegetation cover , leading to an increase in the abundance of the Auchenorrhyncha. 3. S ummer drought, however, caused a decrease in vegetation cover, but thi s did not lead to a corresponding decrease in the abundance of the Auc henorrhyncha. 4. Egg hatch and the termination of nymphal hibernation occurred earlier in winter warmed plots; however, the rate of nymphal development was unaffected.