Survival Mechanism of the Flightless Antarctic Midge (Belgica antarctica)
Adaptation to Extreme Antarctic Winters
The only insect native to Antarctica, surviving extreme cold.
Survives through two distinct dormancy strategies during its two-year life cycle:
Quiescence (First Year)
An immediate dormancy in response to harsh conditions.
Allows rapid reactivation when temperatures briefly rise.
Helps larvae resume development quickly during short warm periods.
Obligate Diapause (Second Year)
A pre-programmed dormancy essential for survival.
Ensures larvae can endure the long Antarctic winter.
Key Benefits of This Strategy
Maximizes survival by adapting to unpredictable temperature fluctuations.
Efficiently uses short warm periods for growth and development.
Enhances resilience in Antarctica’s extreme environment.
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