Plastic polymers are everywhere in our daily lives, and their durability makes them suitable for numerous uses, yet effective disposal remains a significant issue. Recent discoveries of various plastiboa insects reveal their extraordinary capability to consume and swiftly decompose petroplastics. Specifically focusing on caterpillars of the Great Wax Moth (Galleria Mellonella)—commonly known as wax worms—and low-density polyethylene, researchers have explored the extent of plastic consumption, the roles of insects and their microbiota in biodegradation, and the impact of plastic ingestion on larvae health.
Polyethylene decomposition using wax worms. Left: Plastic bag after 12 hours of exposure to approximately 100 wax worms. Right: Enlarge the area shown in the image on the left. Image credit: Bomb et al doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.060.
Plastic is essential in contemporary life, but its disposal is extremely challenging due to its resistance to biodegradation.
In 2017, researchers illustrated that larger wax moth caterpillars can effectively break down polyethylene plastics.
Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic globally, with an annual production exceeding 100 million tons.
This plastic’s chemical properties make it resistant to decomposition, often taking decades or even centuries to fully break down.
“Around 2,000 wax worms can degrade an entire polyethylene bag within just 24 hours, and we believe that supplementing this process with nutrients like sugar could significantly decrease the required number of worms,” said Dr. Brian Catthorne, a biologist at Brandon University.
“However, understanding the biological mechanisms and fitness implications linked to plastic biodegradation is crucial for harnessing wax worms for large-scale plastic remediation.”
Utilizing diverse methods combining animal physiology, materials science, molecular biology, and genomics, Dr. Catthorne and colleagues examined wax worms, their bacterial microbiome, and the potential for extensive plastic biodegradation, including the effects of wax worms on their health and survival.
“This scenario is akin to consuming steaks. When over-saturated, excess fat is stored in adipose tissue as lipid reserves instead of being used as energy,” Dr. Catthorne explained.
“Waxworms have a proclivity for polyethylene, yet this study indicates that such a diet can lead to rapid mortality.”
“They cannot survive for more than a few days on plastic-exclusive diets and undergo substantial mass loss.”
“Nonetheless, we are optimistic about devising a co-supply strategy that not only restores fitness to a natural level.”
Researchers have pinpointed two ways in which wax worms could aid in tackling the ongoing plastic pollution dilemma.
“Firstly, as part of a circular economy, we can efficiently process large quantities of rear wax worms derived from the supplemented polyethylene diet,” Dr. Catthorne noted.
“Secondly, we could explore redesigning the plastic biodegradation pathways outside of these insects.”
“A further advantage is that mass-producing wax worms yields a significant surplus of insect biomass, offering additional economic prospects for aquaculture.”
“Our preliminary findings suggest they could be incorporated into a nutrient-rich diet for commercially available food fish.”
The author presented these survey results today at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium.
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Brian J. Catthorne et al. Plastic biodegradation by insects. SEB 2025 Summary #A17.4
Source: www.sci.news
