Belgica antarctica

Taxobox | name = "Belgica antarctica"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
subclassis = Pterygota
infraclassis = Neoptera
superordo = Endopterygota
ordo = Diptera
subordo = Nematocera
infraordo = Culicomorpha
superfamilia = Chironomoidea
familia = Chironomidae
genus = "Belgica"
species = "B. antarctica"
binomial = "Belgica antarctica"
binomial_authority = Jacobs, 1900

"Belgica antarctica" is a species of flightless midge endemic to the continent of Antarctica. At 12mm (1/2 inch) long, it is the largest purely terrestrial animal on the continent. Its flightlessness may be an adaptation to prevent wind from blowing it into inhospitable sites.

References

* [http://www.units.muohio.edu/cryolab/education/antarcticbestiary_terrestrial.htm#Belgica Antarctic Bestiary] , from Miami University research group.