Nature’s Solution to Degrade Long-Chain Hydrocarbons: A Life Cycle Study of Beeswax and Plastic-Eating Insect Larvae

Recent studies have reported the biodegradation of polyethylene waste in the gut of beeswax-eating insect larvae of Galleria mellonella and Achroia grisella. In this study we examined the life cycle stages and duration of each stage of three common beeswax eating honeybee pests (G. mellonella, A. grisella, and Uloma sp.) from Apis cerana indica colonies under laboratory conditions. The insect larvae of the three species were provided with beeswax, low density polyethylene (PE), or expanded polystyrene (PS) foam diet. The weight loss of beeswax, PE, and PS feed as a function of time caused by the consumption of the three insect larvae were measured. Additionally, the effects of beeswax, PE, and PS feed on the development and survival of the three insect larvae were studied. The beeswax-feeding insects G. mellonella, A. grisella, and Uloma sp. completed their life cycles with average durations of 62 ± 2.1 days, 49 ± 3.6 days, 202 ± 3.2 days, respectively. The G. mellonella, A. grisella, and Uloma sp. larvae ate and digested beeswax, PE, and PS. The insect larvae were found to survive on plastic diets (PE and PS) but a decreased body mass was observed compared to that of beeswax-eating conspecifics. The insect larvae that eat and digest beeswax and plastics could help to eliminate global pollution from recalcitrant plastic wastes.

Graphical Abstract