Stressful aging: Telomere dynamics and oxidative stress from extreme heat inMegachile rotundata

Environmental stress can have positive or negative effects on longevity, depending on the stress duration, intensity, and the life stage of the organisms. With increasing frequency of extreme events, changing environments may impact how organisms age. Here, we explore how developmental heat stress affects aging rates in the solitary bee Megachile rotundata, using cellular markers of aging including telomere length and oxidative damage. We hypothesized that heat stress accelerates aging by inducing oxidative damage and reducing telomere length. To test this, we exposed post-diapause prepupae to 45°C for 1 hour on Day 1, 2 or 3, with one additional group exposed to heat on all three days. We then measured developmental time, survival, telomere length, and oxidative stress markers across time. Additionally, we assessed tissue-specific damage in the Malpighian tubules, midgut, and muscle to determine whether certain tissues are more susceptible to thermal stress. By examining how sublethal extreme events can shape insect physiology and aging, this study provides insights for conservation, and urban and agricultural pest management sectors during environmental change.