Anthropogenic effects on the eco-immunology of herbivorous insects.

Insect herbivore eco-immunology involves complex interactions between herbivore immunity and their natural enemies, and the responses of these interactions to environmental factors including plant anti-herbivore toxins. Plant toxins can affect herbivore immunity, leading to either immunoenhancement or immunosuppression, which in turn influences their vulnerability to parasitoids and pathogens. Herbivore immune responses differ among species regionally, reflecting adaptations to local environmental conditions and natural enemy pressures. Additionally, anthropogenic factors including like climate change, plant domestication, and invasive species are altering these eco-immunological dynamics. Such changes can ripple through food webs, affecting not only herbivores and their natural enemies but also broader community structures. By understanding these complex interactions, we can better predict ecosystem responses to environmental change.