Snow Flies: The Chilling Tale of Self-Amputation and Survival
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that snow flies, a flightless crane fly species found in cold environments, have a unique survival strategy. They self-amputate their frozen limbs to sustain their behavior in sub-zero temperatures. The snow flies can remain active at temperatures as low as -10°C, unlike most insects that become incapacitated at freezing temperatures. The self-amputation occurs at the joint between the femur and the trochanter and is believed to be triggered by thermosensory neurons detecting temperature changes during ice crystallization. However, the habitat of snow flies is at risk due to climate change, which may lead to their extinction.