A recent study shows that lack of genome helps Antarctic Midge to remain frozen in low temperatures. The insect has a very small genome, which can be considered as major reason of its protection in extreme environment. The midge can survive dehydration and can live in low temperatures.

Joanna Kelley, Washington State University assistant professor, said, "The genome opens up a lot of questions for me about genome evolution".

According to a report by the Washington State University, the larvae of insect grows over two winter seasons of Antarctic, and lose over half its body mass every time.

Antarctic Midge, species of Flightless midge, has the ability to live in Antarctic. The insect spends its two-year larval stage in dry and cold conditions. According to David Denglinger from Ohio State University, Antarctic Midge's genome does not have many DNA sections that make it easy for the insect to live in Antarctic. The kind of genome was referred as Junk DNA. He also said that other insects of Antarctic may have small genomes like Midge.

Human genome has 3.2 billion base pairs, but genome of Midge has 99 million base pairs. The discovery states that aquaporins or genes involved in water help Antarctic Midge to survive by transferring in and out of cells. According to the research, insect has the ability to survive water loss than other insects. Whereas other insects can only survive 20% water loss, Antarctic Midge can survive water loss up to 70%.

Delinger said after water loss, the insects look like dried up raisins, but after getting water, they become joyous.