Investigating the nature and proximate causes of genetic variation in plasticity to combined environmental stressors

Climate change has compelled animals to face variation in temperature and their food resources, affecting their fitness and other life-history traits. Insects, the most abundant class of animal on our planet, are particularly affected being unable to regulate their body temperature. This thesis examines the way in which genetically-diverse fruit flies modify different traits in response to abrupt changes in combinations of their diet and temperature. It also explores the processes underlying such responses. Overall this thesis will have further implication in research aiming to predict animal’s response and persistence in the face of ongoing climate change.