Bug Note Episode 6: Extremophiles
About Episode 6
Most of us can’t imagine living in the constant, sweltering heat or a bitter, frozen landscape, but in those harsh conditions, some bugs thrive. It’s a bizarre choice from our perspective, but a paradise from theirs.
In this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter chats with NHMU Invertebrate Collections Manager Christy Bills about these extremes. As it turns out, Utah is home to many extremophiles, and their little bug bodies are perfectly adapted to thrive in harsh conditions. Listen to the podcast here or scroll down to watch the video version.
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Some bugs are in a league of their own, and extremophiles deserve the distinction. They live in places that are extra hot, extra cold, or in the case of those that live around the Great Salt Lake, extra salty. Where most other animals would avoid those conditions, extremophiles embrace them.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle Ben Yandell
In southern Utah, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) wanders the hot, dusty landscape of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. It’s a place many would find inhospitable, but not to this clever critter! The light coloration of its body allows it to blend in with the sand, while thick, white hairs around its body prevent it from drying out under the sun. It’s also a protected species here in Utah.
Further north, we see another resilient bug: brine flies (Ephydra cineria and Ephydra hians). They’re adapted to extreme salinity (places 3-5 times saltier than the ocean), making the Great Salt Lake their perfect home. Adults lay eggs on the surface of the water, and the larvae feed on the algae and bacteria under the surface. Adult flies are also an essential food source for migratory birds.
The adaptations that help extremophiles thrive are a huge advantage. Bills explains that when you live in harsh conditions, you’ll likely have far less competition for vital resources like food. Extremophiles fill small niches in their environments, which is part of what helps the bug world diversify.
Bug Note on YouTube
Check out the extended version of Episode 6 on YouTube. Be sure to like and subscribe to receive notice of upcoming episodes.
About Bug Note
Bug Note is hosted by Daniel Potter, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by Blank Space. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.
Episode Six at a Glance
Authors
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By Olivia Barney
Olivia serves as NHMU’s Marketing Copywriter/Coordinator, where she collaborates across departments to craft engaging stories that help bring groundbreaking research projects to life. She might be the Oxford comma’s number one fan.
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By Christy Bills
Areas of Expertise • Insect collection curation • Science communication • Fireflies in the Western U.S. • Community Science Background Christy joined the Museum staff in 1998 and has been managing the invertebrate collections with the help of volunteers and interns ever since. Moving from 19th century technologies, she shepherded the collection from outdated housing to archival...
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By Dan Potter
Daniel Potter is a science writer and audio producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He's reported for Nashville Public Radio and KQED in San Francisco, and has appeared on Science Friday and PBS NewsHour. He's also written for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Some of his writing appears in the 2023 book Bay Curious: Exploring the Hidden True Stories of the San Francisco Bay Area.
