Chile's resilient Patagonian Ice Dragon insect

21/3/2025 6:17

Chile's

Patagonian Ice Dragon is a tiny and mighty insect that lives its

whole life in freezing glaciers while feeding off algae and

bacteria.



The wingless finger-shaped black insect with long antennae

measuring just 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) is one of the few

creatures able to survive such harsh conditions, but it is now

an endangered species as global warming accelerates the loss of

glaciers.



Maribet Gamboa, a researcher at Chile's UCSC university, is

leading a study that aims to preserve the Patagonian Dragon, as

well as the glaciers it inhabits.



"The research aims to understand the glacier and understand

how the Patagonian Dragon lives," Gamboa said, adding that

scientists took samples from the insect to understand the genes

that have adapted to its harsh climate.



First discovered in the 1950s, the Patagonian Dragon was

believed to have been extinct until it was rediscovered during

an expedition in 2001.



The mighty insect can survive up to 40 meters deep and is

seen as an indicator of clean glacial waters since it acts as a

natural filter, feeding on organic matter, dust and bacteria.



This, Gamboa hopes, will also let the insect become a

barometer for glacier health in a warming world.



"It's a combination of studying the dragon and how climate

change is affecting glaciers and its habitat," Gamboa said.

"This lets us use it as a sentry for climate change in the

region."