A rare aquatic insect is being threatened by shrinking glaciers and rising stream temperature at Montana's Glacier National Park.

The western glacier stonefly (Zapada glacier) was first discovered in 1963. It lives in a few high mountain streams at Glacier National Park. There are only 25 specimens that exist in museums around the world.

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With the extreme global warming expected to melt the ice masses entirely by 2030, scientists are worried the changing climate will wipe out the rare aquatic insect.

In the meantime, the flies have taken to higher ground by retreating upstream to search for cooler habitats away from the melting glaciers.

Researchers from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Bucknell University and the University of Montana led the study that officially documents changes in species distribution associated with glacial recession in the Rocky Mountains.

USGS took stream samples in the park from 2011 to 2013 and found only one of the six streams is inhabited by the insects.

USGS entomologist Joe Giersch said the flies represent what could happen to other species in the area when global warming continues.

"There are a handful of other coldwater dependent alpine aquatic species here in Glacier that are at risk of extinction due to the loss of permanent snow and ice. Under a warming climate, the biodiversity of unique aquatic alpine species - not just in Glacier, but worldwide - is threatened," Giersch said.

TagsMelting glacier, rare aquatic insect, Glacier National Park, insect extinction, global warming, western glacier stonefly, Zapada glacier