Aim of the study was to get in-depth information on Aelurostrongylus abstrusus first-stage larvae (L1s) survival at different temperatures and to assess the capability of these larvae to develop into the third infective stage (L3s). Faeces of a naturally infected cat were split into two aliquots: the first was divided in subsamples assigned to four groups (F1–F4); from the second aliquot, L1s were extracted by Baermann technique, suspended in water and divided into four groups (W1–W4). Groups were stored at different temperatures (F1/W1 −20 ± 1°C; F2/W2 +4 ± 1°C; F3/W3 +14 ± 1°C; and F4/W4 +28 ± 1°C) and L1s vitality assessed every seven days. The capability of L1s stored in water to develop into L3s in snails was evaluated at the beginning and every 21 days. The L1s of W2 and F2 groups remained viable for a longer period (231 and 56 days, respectively) compared to those of other groups. The capability of L1s to moult into L3s in snails showed a decreasing trend; the group W2's L1s maintained the capability to moult into L3s for the longest time (day 189) compared to the other groups. The time of survival of A. abstrusus L1s is influenced by temperature. However, the species seems to be more resistant to temperature variations than other feline lungworms, and this may explain its wider distribution across Europe.

Selected biological and physiological parameters of hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle # HYLLI] biotypes were compared in growth chambers, glasshouse, or outside aquaria. Salinity tolerance was similar for both biotypes with an injury threshold of approximately 13 parts per thousand (ppt). The registered aquatic herbicides diquat (6,7-dihydrodipyrido [1,2-α:2′,1′-c] pyrazinediium ion) and dipotassium and monoamine salts of endothall (7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid)4 produced similar injury to both biotypes. Biomass of the monoecious plants, growing in controlled environments, declined under short days. Tuber production in monoecious plants was greatest under short days and was significantly higher than in dioecious plants under the same conditions. Growth response to temperature was similar among all plants and was retarded at 15 C. Tuber germination occurred at lower temperatures in the monoecious plants, which was indicative of a lower temperature tolerance. Vegetative propagules were the only perennating structures observed in the monoecious biotype, and regrowth was entirely from tubers and turions. The annual growth habit, in conjunction with rapid and abundant propagule production, adapts the monoecious biotype to northern areas with short growing seasons.

Little is known concerning climate changes in the Eastern Baltic region during the last interglacial–glacial cycle and in particular, climate changes during the Weichselian. In this study, a quantitative reconstruction of the mean January and July temperature for the Medininkai-117 site in Lithuania is presented. The reconstruction is based on pollen and plant macrofossils from this site, which reveal that the vegetation was characteristic of many northern Europe sites during the Eemian and Early Weichselian. Gradual evolution of the vegetation suggests that relatively uniform climate conditions existed during the Eemian. Our reconstructions support the view of a relatively stable Eemian, with short cooling phases of low amplitude. A strong increase in temperature was apparent during the beginning of the interglacial and decrease during the transition to the Weichselian. Reconstructed July temperatures of the Eemian interglacial were approximately 2 °C higher than today (18.5 °C; today: 16.2 °C) and were similar to today for January (−5.2 °C; today: −5.1 °C). July temperatures during the Early Weichselian were only ~2°C lower than during the Eemian, whereas the January temperatures gradually decreased. Winter temperatures were relatively high (above − 10 °C) during the Early Weichselian.

The storability of five new different formulations of Metarhizium acridum (two oil, one paste, one semi-solid and one powder) was investigated under ambient and low temperatures. Fourth-instar nymphs of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) were used to evaluate their virulence. Under ambient conditions (23–38°C), all the formulations maintained acceptable viability (66.1 ± 2.30 to 71.8 ± 0.88% germination) after 6 months of storage. After 10 months, only conidia from the powder formulation remained viable. In contrast, samples of the formulations kept under low temperatures ( − 1.2 to 15°C) did not show significant loss of viability after 30 months of storage despite repeated power cuts, lasting sometimes several days. During this period, M. acridum conidia remained virulent to nymphs with 100% mortality 5 to 7 days after the treatment. These results show that all the formulations have greater stability when stored under low and even fluctuant temperature changes. Under ambient conditions, the formulations could remain effective for at least 6 months of storage.

Snow temperatures measured at around 10 m depth over the period 1957–1992 have been used to derive a map of mean annual snow surface temperature corrected to sea level over the Antarctic Peninsula and Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. Multiple linear regression analysis has been used to calculate rates of change with latitude, longitude, altitude and time, for data to the west and east of the topographic divide running along the spine of the Antarctic Peninsula. Climate warming on the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf follows the trend observed at Halley Bay, a coastal station nearby. High spatial variability leads to uncertainty in the temporal trend for mean annual snow surface temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula but there is some indication that the large trends observed at Faraday and Marguerite Bay, two stations on the west coast of the peninsula, are attenuated inland.

We review the effective temperature scale of hot (≤ 10 kK) stars, including results from direct, continuum and ionization equilibrium techniques. We discuss the impact of recent developments in theoretical model atmospheres for OB subdwarfs, dwarfs and supergiants, white dwarfs and Wolf Rayet stars and present a revised Teff scale for OB stars. Direct techniques coupled with Kurucz model atmospheres allow Strömgren photometry to be used as a sensitive Teff indicator for normal stars with Teff ≥ 25 kK. Reliable Teff determinations for hotter, low surface gravity and H-deficient stars require sophisticated ionization equilibrium techniques, generally considering non-LTE and line-blanketing effects.

Temperature influences the reproductive capacity of the Saissetia coffeae and its parasitoid. The lowering of temperatures increased the egg production of the scales. The high temperature (30°C) reduced the egg-laying of Metaphycus helvolus and resulted in a greater proportion of male progenies. However, oviposition and sex ratio of Scutellista cyanea were unaffected by high temperature. The high temperature too, accelerated the development of ovarian eggs of both parasitoids.