Nutrition and thermoregulation

Behavioral thermoregulation strategies are dynamic, since the optimal temperature for a given individual can depend on the thermal optima of different aspects of physiological state.

For example, locust nymphs move to lower temperatures along a thermal gradient with increasing degrees of nutrient deprivation, which increases the efficiency of protein and carbohydrate assimilation at the cost of lower rates of growth and development. These locusts can even use this dynamic thermoregulatory behaviour to optimize assimilation of specific nutrients, which varies with temperature. Similarly, the preferred temperature of some insects along a gradient depends on nutritional status,with bugs preferring cooler temperatures when starved, and warmer temperatures following a blood meal.