HOW DO AFRICAN FLIES SURVIVE SEVERE DROUGHT?

They survive by turning into a glassy substance, something similar to solidified sugar or candy. According to Science News, the larvae Polypedilum vanderplanki turn into a mummified condition during a severe drought, replacing their body fluids with a candy substance. Their metabolism ceases, and the larvae continue in a state of inactivity for up to 17 years until they are revived by the next rains.

The larvae of African fly (Polypedilum vanderplanki) turn into a mummified condition to survive severe drought.
Fly
The metabolism of the larva of the African fly ceases completely until they are revived by the next rains.
African fly

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