In recent years, plant responses to global environmental changes and their effects on insect herbivores have been investigated at various ecological levels. Recent methodological advances have allowed us to examine the physiological responses of plants that influence the performance of insect herbivores. On the other hand, rapid advances in genetic, paleoclimatic and fossil analyses have begun to unravel the evolutionary responses of plant-insect interactions. To elucidate the effects of global environmental changes on plant-insect interactions, a comprehensive understanding is needed at multiple levels that range from physiological responses of individuals to evolutionary responses of populations and species. In this symposium, six speakers will provide new findings in different levels. Finally, we would like to discuss better approaches to predict the impacts of global environmental changes on plant-herbivore interactions.

Commentators: Takayoshi Koike, Shunsuke Utsumi