Yahoo!: Climate change is threatening Antarctica's only insect
UC biologist Joshua Benoit talks about the implications of warming
Yahoo! News turned to University of Cincinnati biologist Joshua Benoit to explain the implications of a study that examined how climate change is affecting Antarctica's only native insect.
Joshua Benoit, an associate professor of biological sciences in UC's College of Arts and Sciences, has studied the tiny Antarctic midge on numerous scientific expeditions to the ice-covered continent.
The Antarctic midge can withstand freezing and thawing in the variable Antarctica climate. Photo/UC Biology
A study by the University of Kentucky in the journal Functional Ecology warned that a warming climate could push the midge to extinction. Researchers found that a 2-degree increase in winter temperatures could reduce the insect's survival rate.
Benoit, who was not part of the study, told Yahoo! News that if the insect larvae burn through more of their energy reserves in warmer winters, "eventually you'll end up getting extinction from certain islands."
The loss of the insect could have a ripple effect on the continent's food chain.
Read more about Benoit's research in Antarctica.
Featured image at top: UC biologist Joshua Benoit has conducted multiple research expeditions in Antarctica. Photo/Provided
Related Stories
Tips to avoid headaches this holiday season
December 15, 2025
A University of Cincinnati migraine expert offered a list of potential headache triggers around the holidays, and how you can try to avoid them, to 91.7 WVXU News. "There are a number of different factors that make this a very headache provocative time," said Vincent Martin, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine and director of the Headache and Facial Pain Center at the Gardner Neuroscience Institute.
Local couple uses royalties from children's books to give gifts to kids in need
December 15, 2025
A local couple has found a unique way to give back to those in need this holiday season. Vic and Laura Troha wrote two children's books together, and this year, they are using the proceeds to buy Christmas gifts for Hamilton County foster kids. The couple are both graduates of the University of Cincinnati's College of Allied Health Sciences and met the day they graduated.
The hottest toys this holiday season
December 15, 2025
Local 12 turned to Lindner College of Business associate professor-educator of marketing Roseann Hassey to explain what’s got the trendiest items flying off the shelves.