Consumption of low‑density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene materials by larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), impacts on their ontogeny

JULIANA M. RUIZ BARRIONUEVO; EDUARDO MARTIN; ALBERTO GALINDO CARDONA; AGUSTINA MALIZIA; ADRIANA CHALUP; RICARDO E DE CRISTOBAL; A. CAROLINA MONMANY GARZIA

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH

SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

Lugar: HEIDELBERG; Año: 2022

0944-1344

AbstractLow-density polyethylene (LDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), and expanded polystyrene (EXPS) are the mostcommon plastics found in every home of the world, but only ~ 10% enter the recycling chains. Consequently, the study ofplastic biodegradation by microorganisms and insects, such as the wax moths, has gained special interest. Galleria mellonella(L.) has been shown to consume single-layered polyethylene and polystyrene, though biological impacts of this consumptionhave been rarely reported. We evaluated the consumption of different plastics by G. mellonella larvae (L7, mean size: 25?30mm) and its effect on larval duration, survival, and development. For this, we offered the larvae five diets: single-layeredLDPE, EXPS, BOPP, triple-layered polyethylene (SB, for silo-bags), and a control with beeswax. We recorded the state andweight of the materials and the state of larvae until they reached the adult stage. Larvae consumed more PE (both LDPE andSB) and EXPS than BOPP; still, they were able to emerge as adults in all treatments. Larvae that consumed plastics turnedinto pupal stage faster than those that consumed beeswax, regardless of the type and amount of plastic consumed. This isthe first report of wild G. mellonella larvae in Argentina consuming biaxially polypropylene and silo-bags.