Meeting Abstract
Insect storage under fluctuating thermal regimes (FTR) increases longevity and maintains fecundity in many species. We assessed mortality of Drosophila melanogaster during long-term storage under FTR. At 20-day intervals females were collected and sequenced out to 100 days as well as cold and warm temperature controls. Mean longevity was approximately 7 times longer under FTR. After 60 days fertility in females drops significantly. We show the persistent, long term transcriptomic response to storage under FTR, focusing on metabolism, oxidative stress, modification of membrane fluidity, and anti-oxidant activity.
