🐛 These "plastic-eating" caterpillars turn plastic into body fat

A surprising discovery reveals that certain caterpillars can digest polyethylene, a plastic known for being indestructible. Could these wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella) become a weapon against pollution?

Research conducted by Dr. Bryan Cassone's team (Brandon University, Canada) shows that these "plastic-eating" caterpillars metabolize plastic into fats.

An insatiable appetite for polyethylene

With over 100 million tons produced annually, polyethylene is the most widely used plastic in the world. Its chemical resistance makes it persist in the environment, with degradation potentially taking centuries.

In 2017, a pioneering study identified the caterpillars' ability to break down this material. According to recent findings, just 2,000 individuals could eliminate a plastic bag in 24 hours. Their gut microbiota appears to play a key role in this process.

However, this accelerated digestion comes at a cost. The caterpillars store plastic residues as fat, similar to lipids from an overly rich meal. Though remarkable, this metabolic adaptation is not without consequences.

Limitations to overcome

Without another food source, the caterpillars die within days, weakened by loss of body mass. Dr. Cassone is exploring solutions, such as adding sugars to their diet to improve survival rates.

Two potential applications emerge from this discovery: mass breeding of these caterpillars for a circular economy approach, or extracting the enzymes responsible for degradation. Producing such insects could also provide a protein source for aquaculture.

These findings, presented at the annual Society for Experimental Biology conference, open new possibilities. The challenge now is assessing their large-scale applicability against the vast scale of plastic pollution.