Bugs without borders: an introduction to my research on Antarctic insects
By J.D. Gantz
It’s a harsh continent. This phrase is uttered with pithy delight around mouthfuls of espresso encrusted steak or homemade pumpkin gnocchi in brown butter sauce. Or, perhaps it is employed as a wry rejoinder to someone’s complaints about missing the first moments of a movie because they were waiting for the popcorn machine. The sarcastic overuse of this refrain and the comfort of day-to-day life working in the United States Antarctic Program make it easy to forget the truth within the statement. In fact, we- and I mean the royal we, as in the sum total of humanity- were not aware of the existence of Antarctica until something like 200 years ago. Our initial explorations of the continent cost many intrepid adventurers their lives and, even today, this part of the world remains unassailably inhospitable to most animals and unflinchingly inaccessible to most people.
Though its inaccessibility has ensured that few people have a chance to experience Antarctica, I, through a combination of good luck, privilege, and tremendous support from some remarkable people, have been fortunate enough to participate in four separate research trips to the world’s southernmost continent. Now, it doesn’t feel reasonable to compare my experiences to those of the early explorers like Earnest Shackleton or Douglas Mawson; accounts of their polar expeditions don’t often include slumber parties with elaborate blanket forts, pizza bagels, mimosas, and movies on a big screen. Minor details like these make me wonder if those early days of Antarctic exploration were more challenging than my trips have been. We may never know.
Despite a remarkable lack of heroism and strife (or even minor inconvenience), I have managed to have my own series of Antarctic adventures that I am excited to share. So, please follow along, as forthcoming posts will provide accounts of exhilarating, embarrassing, and life-changing events I was fortunate enough to take part in while living and working alongside some fantastic people in Antarctica. This space will also serve as a platform to share stories and information about my work at the other pole, as I have recently started studying insects in Alaska as well. Additionally, students, collaborators, and I will provide biology-themed experiments, activities, and lessons tailored for students and adults across age and developmental levels in the ‘Educational Materials‘ section of this website. So, if you are an educator, parent, or caretaker who can benefit from access to biology lessons and activities, please take the time to peruse these resources!