Snow Fly Self-Amputation

Snow Fly. Frank Vassen, via Wikimedia Commons.

Snow flies seem to defy logic. These wingless flies are commonly seen scurrying across snow-covered surfaces at temperatures that would paralyze and kill most other insects. Now, researchers have discovered the startling strategy that helps snow flies survive sub-zero conditions: self-amputation. When a snow fly detects ice forming in one of its limbs, it rapidly detaches it to prevent ice crystals from spreading into its body.  

Read more at my Animal Minds blog: Snow Flies Have a Trick to Survive Freezing Temperatures.