New fluid fats fuel frozen flies
Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 17:20
in Biology & Nature
When goldenrod gall flies embark on their winter hibernation, they freeze solid and have only the fats that they carry on board to sustain them. However, scientists from Western University, Canada, have discovered that the insects produce a new and extremely novel low calorie fat that remains fluid at the super cold temperatures experienced by the larvae to sustain them through to spring.