What bugs me about Antarctica.
What bugs me about Antarctica.
By Blog.Admin
- Antarctic Springtail: Pietro Paola Fanciulli
That ugly fella to the right is a springtail (collembola) - Antarctica's largest insect. There are 8 species living on the subantarctic islands. Large is relative - they are 1 to 2 mm long. The nail of my index finger is 10 mm wide.
They may be primitive, but they have adapted to the environment in an amazing manner. They synthesize antifreeze, so their body fluids remain liquid at -35C. That is equivalent to -31F. No matter which scale you use - that's mighty cold!
The Antarctic springtail (Cryptopygus antarcticus) is the most common of the 8 species. It eats microfungi and algae. They are food for mites, particularly Gamasellus racovitzai.
Do I hope to encounter either insect or any of their relatives when I'm traveling in Antarctica? Nope...I admit it. I'm a girl when it comes to insects, no matter how small they are! Penguins, birds, whales and seals - that's what I'll be on the lookout for.
I'll eagerly participate in the boot washing and cleaning program to remove all stray seeds and pests. We worry about changing the fragile ecosystems of the Antarctic by introducing foreign flora and fauna.
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