Eretmoptera murphyi

Why in news?

• According to a study by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), a tiny flightless midge (small fly) “Eretmoptera murphyi” that has colonized Antarctica’s Signy Island is driving fundamental changes to the Island’s soil ecosystem.

About Eretmoptera murphyi:

• Eretmoptera murphy is an invasive species on Antarctic Signy Island.
• It is a native of South Georgia, a sub-antarctic Island, and was accidentally introduced to Signy in the 1960s during a botany experiment. Its proliferation became apparent in the 1980s.
• 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 only native invertebrate species live.

Concerns:

• Eretmoptera murphyi can also survive in water, which raises concerns that it could spread to other islands.
• It has become a big problem as the tiny insect has spread to a much larger area with multiplying populations.
• The activity of the midges, along with climate change, may also create conditions for other invasive species to become established and accelerate the effects of climate change.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

‘Eretmoptera murphyi’, an invasive species recently in news, is causing a major threat in:

(a) Himalayas

(b) Sahara

(c) Pacific Islands

(d) Antarctica

               D

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