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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Occurrence of microplastics in edible aquatic insect Pantala sp. (Odonata: Libellulidae) from rice fields
ClearProximate Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Microplastic Contamination of Edible Odonate Larvae (Aeshnidae: Anax sp.) in Rice Fields
This study evaluated the proximate composition, fatty acid profiles, and microplastic contamination of edible dragonfly larvae (Anax sp.) harvested from rice fields, finding nutritional value alongside measurable microplastic contamination in this traditionally consumed aquatic insect.
Microplastic bioaccumulation in odonata larvae: Integrating evidence from experimental studies in freshwater microcosm
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.
Occurrence and physical characterization of microplastics in mangrove-dwelling Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of entotourism importance
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in mangrove-dwelling fireflies in Malaysia, finding microplastics in 50% of larvae and 14.8% of adults, representing one of the first studies of microplastic occurrence in this ecologically and culturally important insect group.
Using aquatic insects as indicators of microplastic pollution in rice field ecosystems
Researchers used aquatic insect communities as bioindicators of microplastic pollution in rice field ecosystems, comparing insect diversity and abundance across fields with different levels of plastic contamination. Insect assemblages responded sensitively to microplastic loads, demonstrating their potential as low-cost monitoring tools.
Occurrence Of Microplastics in Immature Aquatic Insects of Gua Musang Tributaries in Kelantan
Researchers investigated the presence and abundance of microplastics in freshwater immature aquatic insects, specifically caddisfly (Trichoptera) and dragonfly (Odonata) larvae, collected from two tributaries of Gua Musang in Kelantan, Malaysia. The study found that microplastics had accumulated in these larvae, raising concerns about microplastic transfer through aquatic food chains in the region.
Ejection, ingestion and fragmentation of mesoplastic fibres to microplastics by Anax imperator larvae (Odonata: Aeshnidae)
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.
Occurrence and Characterization of Small Microplastics (<100 μm), Additives, and Plasticizers in Larvae of Simuliidae
Researchers found that blackfly larvae (Simuliidae) ingest small microplastics under 100 micrometers in size, along with plasticizers and additives, with significant differences between species — suggesting these insects can serve as indicators of small plastic and chemical pollution in freshwater environments.
Effects of anthropogenic activities on microplastics in deposit-feeders (Diptera: Chironomidae) in an urban river of Taiwan
Researchers quantified microplastic abundance and types in midge larvae (Chironomidae) from an urban river and found that multiple anthropogenic activities including industrial discharge, agriculture, and residential runoff were associated with elevated microplastic levels in these freshwater deposit-feeders.
Aquatic insects as mediator for microplastics pollution in a river ecosystem of Bangladesh
Researchers found that aquatic insects in a Malaysian river ecosystem ingest microplastics and can transport them across ecosystem boundaries as the insects emerge from water to land, functioning as biological vectors that move plastic contamination from aquatic to terrestrial food webs.
Dietary uptake, biodistribution, and depuration of microplastics in the freshwater diving beetle Cybister japonicus: Effects on predacious behavior
A freshwater diving beetle was found to accumulate microplastics by eating contaminated zebrafish, with the plastics moving from the fish's body into the beetle's tissues. This shows that microplastics transfer between predators and their prey in freshwater food webs, not just marine ones.
Nutritional Compositions of Aquatic Insects Living in Rice Fields, with a Particular Focus on Odonate Larvae
Researchers analyzed the nutritional composition of Pantala dragonfly nymphs harvested from rice fields, finding them to be rich in protein (49% dry weight), all nine essential amino acids, and key minerals, supporting their potential as a sustainable food or feed ingredient.
A multi-levels analysis to evaluate the toxicity of microplastics on aquatic insects: A case study with damselfly larvae (Ischnura elegans)
Researchers conducted a comprehensive study of how polystyrene microplastics affect damselfly larvae, a sensitive freshwater insect, examining effects from the whole organism down to the molecular level. Higher concentrations of microplastics impaired the larvae's movement, disrupted their gut bacteria, and caused oxidative stress in their tissues. Since aquatic insects are an important part of freshwater food webs, their sensitivity to microplastics signals broader risks to ecosystem health.
Detection of Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Insect Meals
Researchers analyzed commercial insect meal products used in aquaculture feed and found microplastic contamination in all samples tested. Using specialized detection methods, they identified various polymer types including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester within the insect-based feed. The findings raise questions about whether insect farming, promoted as a sustainable protein source, may inadvertently introduce microplastics into the aquaculture food chain.
Freshwater insects of different feeding guilds ingest microplastics in two Gulf of Guinea tributaries in Nigeria
Scientists collected freshwater insects from two Nigerian tributaries of the Gulf of Guinea and found microplastics ingested across different feeding guilds, providing rare baseline data on microplastic contamination of African freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastics of different characteristics are incorporated into the larval cases of the freshwater caddisfly Lepidostoma basale
Researchers found that the freshwater caddisfly larva Lepidostoma basale actively incorporated microplastics of various sizes, shapes, and polymer types into its larval case alongside natural materials, representing a novel pathway of microplastic interaction beyond dietary ingestion in aquatic insects.
Microplastic Exposure Across Trophic Levels: Effects on the Host-microbiota of Freshwater Organisms
Researchers found that exposure to 1 µm microplastic beads and the pesticide deltamethrin caused carry-over reductions in microbiome diversity and abundance across a three-level freshwater food chain of daphnids, damselfly larvae, and dragonfly larvae.
Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Insect Meal: A Valid Analytical Method to Detect It
Researchers developed and validated an analytical method for detecting microplastic contamination in commercial insect meal, finding microplastics present and underscoring the need for standardized testing as insect-based foods enter the human food chain.
Interaction of microplastics and terrestrial and aquatic insects (bioaccumulation, degradation, ecotoxicological effects)
This review synthesizes research on how insects — both aquatic and terrestrial — interact with microplastics, covering ingestion, bioaccumulation, potential degradation, and toxic effects across many species. Insects represent a critical but understudied link in microplastic transfer through food webs: they occupy a pivotal trophic position, and contamination in insects can propagate to birds, fish, and other wildlife that depend on them. The review highlights significant knowledge gaps in terrestrial insect ecotoxicology compared to the better-studied aquatic realm.
Microplastics in terrestrial insects, long-horned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), from China
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in wild long-horned beetles collected from four cities across China and found microplastics in 68 to 88 percent of specimens. Fibers were the most common shape, with polyethylene terephthalate being the dominant polymer type. The study provides some of the first evidence that microplastics are accumulating in wild terrestrial insects, suggesting widespread contamination of land-based food webs.
Interactions between microplastics and insects in terrestrial ecosystems—A systematic review and meta-analysis
This meta-analysis with phylogenetic control found that microplastic exposure impairs key biological traits of insects, primarily behavior and reproduction, with effects varying by polymer type and particle size. Field evidence confirmed that insects ingest and transfer microplastics along food chains, and also contribute to bio-fragmentation of larger plastic debris into smaller particles.
Understanding the microplastic pollution impact on Chironomus sancticaroli larvae development and emergence
Researchers studied how PET microplastics affect the development and emergence of Chironomus midge larvae, an important freshwater insect. They found that microplastic exposure altered larval development and reduced successful adult emergence. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems could disrupt the life cycles of aquatic insects, which are vital to food webs and ecosystem health.
Ingestion and egestion dynamics of micro- and nanoplastics in black soldier fly larvae
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.
Immune response triggered by the ingestion of polyethylene microplastics in the dipteran larvae Chironomus riparius
Ingestion of polyethylene microplastics by Chironomus riparius dipteran larvae activated their innate immune system, as evidenced by upregulation of the phenoloxidase pathway, demonstrating that microplastic ingestion triggers measurable immune responses in aquatic insect larvae.
Glitter ingestion by bromeliad-dwelling macroinvertebrates: implications for freshwater microplastic contamination
Researchers exposed macroinvertebrates living in bromeliad leaf reservoirs to glitter particles as a microplastic proxy, finding ingestion occurred across multiple taxa and that glitter persisted in the gut and environment longer than natural food particles.