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Autofluorescence and Fourier transform infrared analyses trace dietary fluorophores and reveal plastic contamination in the gut of mosquito larvae
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Combining autofluorescence microscopy, confocal spectral imaging, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in Aedes albopictus mosquito larvae revealed that larvae reared in polystyrene containers ingested PS-derived material detectable in gut samples, despite no measurable effect on standard life-history traits. This multi-modal detection approach — confirming microplastic ingestion in a widespread disease vector — demonstrates sensitive new methods for tracking plastic particle uptake in small invertebrates where conventional identification techniques are challenging.
Understanding the nutritional physiology of mosquito larvae is crucial for optimizing mass-rearing practices and improving control strategies. Here we combined complementary optical and spectroscopic techniques, including fluorescence microscopy, confocal spectral imaging and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, to trace food ingestion in Aedes albopictus larvae. Differences in autofluorescence (AF) signal intensity and spatial distribution were observed in the gut of larvae reared in polystyrene (PS) or glass (GL) containers, suggesting that AF may serve as a relative proxy for evaluating ingestion efficiency. Chlorophyll-derived AF was detected outside the gut within the larval body, indicating systemic distribution of food-derived fluorophores. Spectral analysis of rearing water before and after larval development revealed changes in flavin-associated fluorescence profiles, consistent with flavin metabolism. Moreover, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy of larval gut samples revealed differences in chemical functional groups between larvae reared in PS or GL containers, suggesting ingestion of PS-derived material released from rearing containers. Despite the spectroscopic differences observed between rearing conditions, no clear effects were detected on standard mosquito life-history traits. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of fluorescence- and ATR-FTIR-based techniques as sensitive tools to explore mosquito larval biology and nutrition. These approaches can reveal subtle yet biologically relevant effects of the rearing environment, a key factor in vector control programmes.
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Determination of microplastics in reared black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) using polarised light optical microscopy
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Researchers developed a method using polarized light microscopy to detect whether microplastics transfer from feed substrate into black soldier fly larvae, a promising insect species for circular food systems. They tested larvae reared on feed contaminated with polyethylene and PET particles mimicking food packaging, and found no significant effects on larval survival or yield. The study suggests that insects may handle plastic-contaminated feed differently than conventional livestock, potentially enabling organic waste streams to be repurposed as insect feed.
Advanced Spectroscopic and Thermoanalytical Quantification of LLDPE in Mealworm Frass: A Multitechnique Approach
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This study applied a multitechnique analytical approach including thermal decomposition-FTIR-MS, TGA under inert atmosphere, and solid-state ¹³C CP-MAS NMR with chemometric iPLS modeling to detect and quantify LLDPE in Tenebrio molitor mealworm frass. CP-MAS NMR provided the highest sensitivity, detecting polyethylene signals at concentrations as low as 0.096% w/w, supporting its application as the most robust method for quantifying plastic residues in biological matrices in insect-mediated biodegradation studies.
Microplastics on the menu; exploring interactions between two mosquitoes species and microplastics
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Researchers exposed larvae of two mosquito species with contrasting feeding ecologies (Anopheles gambiae and Aedes albopictus) to varying concentrations, sizes, and densities of polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics, finding that ingestion risk was primarily determined by particle size rather than larval ecology, and that microplastics affected survival only in An. gambiae adults at the highest concentration, with no physical or chemical alteration of microplastics detected post-digestion.
Microbiological and Physicochemical Characterization in the Feeding of Superworm (Zophobas morio) with Petroleum-Derived Polymer Diets.
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Researchers found that Zophobas morio (superworm) larvae can consume and partially biodegrade petroleum-derived polymers including polystyrene, polyethylene, polyisoprene, and butyl rubber, with gut bacteria identified that break down these plastics, and frass analysis confirming chemical modification of the polymer structures.
Automated μFTIR Imaging Demonstrates Variability in Microplastic Ingestion by Aquatic Insects in a Remote Taiwanese Mountain Stream
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Researchers used focal plane array micro-FTIR spectroscopy to characterize microplastic ingestion in aquatic insects from a high-altitude stream (~2,000 m) in a Taiwanese national park. Microplastic ingestion was detected in nearly all insect taxa examined, with polyethylene (65%) dominating and most particles smaller than 500 µm, demonstrating that MP contamination reaches even remote, low-pollution environments.
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