Few organisms are adapted to winter temperatures as low as -75 degrees Fahrenheit (-60 degrees Celsius). , the wooly bear caterpillar is able to survive an entire winter of such temperatures in northern Canada. What is this insect’s secret?
The wooly bear caterpillar has a unique adaptation that allows it to survive extreme winter temperatures. This caterpillar produces a natural antifreeze compound called glycerol. Glycerol acts as a cryoprotectant, which prevents the caterpillar's body fluids from freezing. Unlike other insects, whose body fluids would crystallize and cause severe damage, the wooly bear caterpillar's glycerol lowers the freezing point of its body fluids, allowing it to remain in a semi-frozen state during the winter. This fascinating adaptation enables the caterpillar to survive in extremely cold environments that would be lethal to most organisms.
