Stress tolerance in Belgica antarctica and Eretmoptera murphyi

Insects are known for occurring in any biome due to their outstanding phenotypic plasticity, reproductive ability, and environmental resilience, but only a few species can survive Antarctica’s environmental conditions. The chironomid midge Belgica antarctica is the only insect species endemic to Antarctica, and it has evolved throughout Antarctica’s history and remains active until this day. Recent work has shown that B. antarctica has been isolated from its closest relatives for over 30 million years, which has allowed it to evolve specialized adaptations to thrive in Antarctica’s harsh terrestrial ecosystems. A closely related midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, which is endemic to South Georgia (a sub-Antarctic Island), has invaded Signy Island (a Maritime Antarctica island), and the invasion was facilitated in part by its surprising ability to cope with abiotic stress. Also, the extent of the threat that E. murphyi, as an invasive species, can pose to B. antarctica has been not directly addressed.