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Study Debunks Oxygen Myth Behind Giant Insects' Extinction

3/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

A new study challenges the long-held oxygen constraint hypothesis, arguing atmospheric oxygen did not limit insect size.
Led by Edward Snelling of the University of Pretoria, the researchers found tracheoles occupy about one percent of flight muscle space, suggesting insects could increase tracheole density if oxygen were limiting.
The findings, published in Nature, indicate ecological changes and biomechanics may explain why giant insects such as griffinfly no longer exist.

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Story summary

A new study challenges the long-held oxygen constraint hypothesis, arguing atmospheric oxygen did not limit insect size.
Led by Edward Snelling of the University of Pretoria, the researchers found tracheoles occupy about one percent of flight muscle space, suggesting insects could increase tracheole density if oxygen were limiting.
The findings, published in Nature, indicate ecological changes and biomechanics may explain why giant insects such as griffinfly no longer exist.