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Polyethylene fragments affected the development of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)
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Researchers found that polyethylene microplastic fragments caused mechanical damage to the cuticle of greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella), interfering with development and causing death in a previously unreported lethal mechanism. This finding suggests microplastics in soil can directly harm insect development through physical injury, not just chemical toxicity.
Products made of plastic have revolutionized people's way of life worldwide since they first appeared in 1950. Plastic products have many benefits to our society, but they have also provoked severe environmental problems and caused issues for many organisms. Microplastics (particles between 1 and 5000 micrometers) have a negative impact on many biological processes, including the development, immune system, and stress levels of different organisms. In the present study we report, for the first time, a kind of mechanical damage caused by microplastics to a greater wax moth larva Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). This damage involved an interference in their cuticle development, provoking its death. Damage to development-related structures represents an acute lethal factor. Since an increasing number of insects are in contact with this pollutant in nature (e.g., soils), this type of damage becomes relevant and deserves attention from the scientific community.
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Comparison of three insect larvae biodegrading polyethylene and role of the intestinal bacterial strains in polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella larvae
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Compared to two other insect species, Galleria mellonella waxworm larvae showed the highest polyethylene degradation ability, with gut bacterial strains identified as key contributors to plastic breakdown in a process transferable outside the host.
Consumption of polypropylene by Galleria mellonella (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) larvae did not cause degenerative changes in internal organs
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This study found that greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae can consume polypropylene plastic without suffering organ damage, confirming that this insect species tolerates plastic ingestion well and supporting its potential use in biodegradation applications. The gut microbiome is believed responsible for breaking down the plastic, pointing toward a biological route for reducing polypropylene waste that is the precursor to significant environmental microplastic contamination.
Beyond Microbial Biodegradation: Plastic Degradation by Galleria mellonella
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Researchers reviewed the ability of the wax moth larva Galleria mellonella to degrade various types of plastic, including polyethylene. The study highlights this insect as one of the most promising biological approaches to plastic waste degradation, as it produces enzymes capable of breaking down polyethylene, offering a potential complement to microbial biodegradation strategies.
Biodegradation of Polyethylene by Enterobacter sp. D1 from the Guts of Wax Moth Galleria mellonella
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Researchers isolated the bacterium Enterobacter sp. D1 from the gut of wax moth larvae and found it capable of biodegrading polyethylene film. After 14 days of cultivation, the bacteria formed colonies on the plastic surface and caused visible damage including roughness and cracks. The study suggests that gut bacteria from plastic-consuming insects could offer potential avenues for developing biological approaches to plastic waste management.
Disruption of midgut homeostasis by microplastics in Spodoptera frugiperda: Insights into inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms
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Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect the gut of fall armyworms, a common agricultural pest insect. They found that microplastics caused gut inflammation and oxidative damage, disrupting normal gut function, which provides insight into how microplastic contamination in soil may affect insects throughout the food chain.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.