Phenological sensitivity to temperature mediates herbivory

Species interactions drive ecosystem processes and are a major focus of global change research. Among the most consequential expected to shift with climate those between insect herbivores plants, both which highly sensitive temperature. Insect their host plants display varying levels synchrony that could be disrupted or enhanced by change, yet empirical data on changes in lacking. Using evidence herbivory herbarium specimens collected from northeastern United States France 1900 2015, we provide plant species temperature-sensitive phenologies experience higher damage warmer years, while less temperature-sensitive, co-occurring do not. While might mediated warming phenology through multiple pathways, suggest lengthen growing seasons for phenologically species, exposing leaves longer periods time warm years. We propose elevated years may represent previously underappreciated cost phenological tracking over timescales.