We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Ejection, ingestion and fragmentation of mesoplastic fibres to microplastics by Anax imperator larvae (Odonata: Aeshnidae)
AI summary Read the abstract
Dragonfly larvae (Anax imperator) were found to eject, ingest, and physically fragment mesoplastic fibers into microplastic pieces, identifying freshwater insects as potential agents in the environmental breakdown of plastic litter. This unexpected role of invertebrates in plastic fragmentation could contribute to the spread of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.
Exposure to plastic litter in ecosystems is increasing globally. Marine and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as freshwater ecosystems, are affected. Despite this, the impact of increased exposure to plastics on the freshwater fauna is largely unexplored. The present work investigates the reactions of 42 Anax imperator larvae to plastics in their habitat. Mesoplastic fibres (ca 8 mm long) were presented with a Chironomus sp. larva that was placed behind the fibre. In the majority of the observations, ejection attempts using the labium and the front legs were observed. When ingestion occurred, macerated plastic fibres (0.5‒3 mm) appeared in the faeces of several individuals. Consequently, Odonata larvae turned mesoplastics into microplastics. It is assumed that the mechanical comminution was achieved by the action of the gizzard, which contains strong chitinous teeth.
More Papers Like This
Caddisfly Larvae are a Driver of Plastic Litter Breakdown and Microplastic Formation in Freshwater Environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that freshwater caddisfly larvae actively incorporate polylactic acid plastic film into their protective cases and rapidly fragment it into hundreds of microplastic particles, representing a previously unrecognized biological mechanism of microplastic formation in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastic bioaccumulation in odonata larvae: Integrating evidence from experimental studies in freshwater microcosm
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted laboratory experiments simulating bromeliad-tank ecosystems to study how microplastics accumulate and transfer through freshwater food webs. They found that prey-mediated exposure led to significantly greater microplastic accumulation in predatory dragonfly larvae than direct waterborne contact. The study provides experimental evidence that microplastics can bioaccumulate and transfer up the food chain in freshwater invertebrate communities.
Ingestion and egestion dynamics of micro- and nanoplastics in black soldier fly larvae
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the ingestion and egestion dynamics of micro- and nanoplastics in black soldier fly larvae, examining how these insects process plastic particles and their potential role in plastic breakdown.
Occurrence of microplastics in edible aquatic insect Pantala sp. (Odonata: Libellulidae) from rice fields
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in edible dragonfly larvae collected from rice fields, finding an average of 1.34 particles per individual with fragments being the most common type, raising concerns about microplastic transfer through insect-based food chains.
Characterizing microplastic ingestion, transformation, and excretion in insects using fluorescent plastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Using fluorescent microplastics as tracers, researchers showed that insects can ingest, transform through digestion, and excrete microplastic particles, demonstrating that insects are both exposed to and potential vectors for spreading microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.