Insects have always fascinated humans with their strangeness, often serving as inspiration for movie monsters or extreme biophysics. Scientists are now exploring the possibility of using insects to eat plastic, in an attempt to combat the planet’s plastic pollution crisis.
A recent experiment shed light on the effectiveness of this strategy. Ecologist Michelle Tseng and her colleagues discovered that it would take 100 mealworms approximately 138 days, or about 4.5 months, to consume just one disposable face mask from the COVID-19 era. This study, published in Biology Letters on December 4, provides a realistic perspective on the potential of insects to tackle plastic waste.
Microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, pose a significant threat to the environment. Previous research has shown that various insect species, such as superworms and yellow mealworms, can consume and degrade different types of plastics. Tseng’s team wanted to conduct more realistic tests using actual face masks made of polypropylene and polylactic acid, including additives from the manufacturer.
The researchers melted the mask plastic and created microbits, mixing them with wheat bran for a more natural dining experience. The insects, known for their voracious appetite, immediately started eating the “face-mask granola.” Surprisingly, consuming plastic did not have a noticeable impact on the insects’ lifespan. However, the implications of ingesting microplastics on their edibility raise concerns about incorporating them into the food chain, such as feeding chickens.
Despite the potential of using insects to combat plastic pollution, the sheer scale of the problem remains a challenge. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asia alone used 2 billion medical face masks per day, making it an overwhelming task for insect larvae to tackle. Instead, researchers suggest using insects as a source of inspiration to explore their body chemistry and microbial partners for waste breakdown solutions. Ultimately, the key takeaway is to reduce plastic usage to mitigate environmental damage.
