Temperature drives Trait-Dependent responses of saproxylic insect phenology in mediterranean woodland

Shifts in insect phenology represent a critical and understudied concern, even as we gather more evidence about the effects of climate change on insect communities. This is particularly true for saproxylic beetles, where a lack of long-term data hinders research. Here, we explored interannual changes in a saproxylic beetle community in Mediterranean woodlands by comparing two one-year sampling events conducted 11 years apart. We analysed trends in air temperature and relative humidity over the past 22 years and explored if differences in phenological patterns were detectable between the two sampling periods, also considering functional traits (i.e., trophic guild and body size). Our key findings reveal significant shifts in the community’s activity patterns, with different climatic variables influencing them each year. This suggests a potential adaptive phenological response to the warming trend in the area. Our analysis also showed differential responses among trophic guilds and body size classes, reinforcing the importance of functional approaches in climate change studies. Overall, our research highlights that species activity periods may become increasingly unpredictable, underscoring the critical need for continued long-term research.