ERETMOPTERA MURPHYI

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Context

• The invasion of a tiny insect is altering Antarctica’s soil & its ecosystem. The other fear is that it can spread through other islands as it can survive in water.

Details

Location

• Antarctica’s Signy Island, half of which is always covered in ice, has been dealing with a flightless midge, for years.

Impact

• Eretmoptera murphyi feasts on dead organic matter and has led to faster plant decomposition, thus increasing the soil nitrate levels by three-five times compared to places on the island where the midge is absent and only native invertebrate species live. 

About the insect

• It is a native of South Georgia, a sub-Antarctic island, and was accidentally introduced to Signy in the 1960s during a botany experiment.
• It’s proliferation became apparent in the 1980s. 

How they spread?

• Experts have proposed some theories for the cause of the spread of murphyi, the most prominent one being through humans.
• It is possible they clung to the soles of researchers and tourists who walked over their colonies and travelled longer distances than they could have by any other means. 
• The other fear is that it can spread through other islands as it can survive in water. 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Which of the following statements with reference to Eretmoptera murphyi is/are correct? 1. The invasion of Eretmoptera murphyi, a tiny insect is altering Antarctica’s soil & its ecosystem. 2. It is a native of South Georgia, a sub-Antarctic island. 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Answer: 3

 

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/how-the-invasion-of-a-tiny-insect-is-altering-antarctica-s-soil-its-ecosystem-89266