Trending Now - New Study Challenges Beliefs on Insect Gigantism and Extinction

WHO:

Researchers Jayan Nair and Maria Leptin from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory

Estelle Mayhew and Aldrich Hezekiah, contributors to the research

WHAT:

The study published in Nature indicates that the tracheoles in the flight muscles of insects occupy only about 1% of the cross-sectional area, regardless of body size, which is consistent across 44 species measured.

The research involved five years of study and the use of 1,320 transmission electron micrographs to analyze the tracheal systems of various flying insects.

The study concludes that there is no physiological reason preventing insects the size of griffinflies from flying in today's atmosphere.

The study indicates that the tracheoles in the flight muscles of insects occupy only about 1% of the cross-sectional area, regardless of body size, which contrasts with the 10% area occupied by blood-filled capillaries in birds and mammals.

The research involved measuring 44 species of flying insects over five years, using 1,320 transmission electron micrographs, confirming that the tracheal system does not limit body size.

New research published in Nature challenges the belief that the structure of the insect tracheal system limits body size in flying insects.

Griffinflies, giant dragonfly-like insects, had wingspans of 70 cm, five times the size of the largest modern dragonflies.

The study measured 44 species of flying insects over five years, using 1,320 transmission electron micrographs.

The tracheoles in the flight muscles of insects occupy only about 1% of the cross-sectional area, regardless of body size.

WHERE:

Research conducted at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory

WHEN:

The Carboniferous period ended 300 million years ago.

Insects first took to the skies about 350 million years ago.

Research published on March 26th, 2026.

WHY:

The research challenges the long-held belief that high atmospheric oxygen levels were necessary for the survival of large flying insects, suggesting that the structure of the tracheal system does not limit body size.

The conclusion drawn from the study is that the body size of flying insects has never been limited by the structure or function of their tracheal systems, challenging the prevailing theory for the past 30 years.

Previous theories suggested that high oxygen levels were necessary for the survival of large flying insects.

The study indicates that the body size of flying insects has never been limited by the structure or function of their tracheal systems.

HOW:

The researchers found that developing insects can grow more tracheoles in flight muscle in lower oxygen levels and pass this trait to their offspring, indicating adaptability in oxygen delivery systems.

The research involved measuring the tracheal systems of various flying insects and comparing them to the oxygen delivery systems in birds and mammals.

The study found that insects can grow more tracheoles in flight muscle in lower oxygen levels and pass this trait to their offspring.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:22 UTC)

A new study published in Nature reveals that the tracheoles in the flight muscles of insects occupy only about 1% of the cross-sectional area, a finding consistent across 44 species, and challenges the belief that high atmospheric oxygen levels were necessary for large flying insects. After five years of research involving 1,320 transmission electron micrographs, the study concludes that there is no physiological barrier preventing insects the size of griffinflies from flying in today's atmosphere. Additionally, the researchers discovered that developing insects can grow more tracheoles in lower oxygen levels and pass this adaptability to their offspring, enhancing their oxygen delivery systems.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 11:18 UTC)

A new study reveals that the tracheoles in the flight muscles of insects occupy only about 1% of the cross-sectional area, which is significantly less than the 10% occupied by blood-filled capillaries in birds and mammals. Over five years, researchers measured 44 species of flying insects using 1,320 transmission electron micrographs, ultimately concluding that the body size of these insects has never been limited by their tracheal systems, challenging a long-held belief. The study also found that developing insects can grow more tracheoles in low oxygen environments and pass this adaptability to their offspring, enhancing their oxygen delivery systems.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 09:19 UTC)

New research published in Nature by researchers Jayan Nair and Maria Leptin, along with contributors Estelle Mayhew and Aldrich Hezekiah, challenges the long-held belief that the structure of the insect tracheal system limits body size in flying insects. The study, which measured 44 species over five years using 1,320 transmission electron micrographs, found that giant griffinflies had wingspans of 70 centimeters, five times the size of the largest modern dragonflies, and that the tracheoles in their flight muscles occupy only about 1% of the cross-sectional area, regardless of body size. This research indicates that the body size of flying insects has never been constrained by their tracheal systems, even in lower oxygen levels, suggesting a more complex relationship between insect size and oxygen delivery.