"Mealworms have the ability to consume and process plastic, potentially offering a way to address pollution.
Plastic waste is a global problem, lingering in ecosystems for decades. Could insects be the solution?
Earlier studies showed that insects can ingest microplastics, but only under extreme, food-deprived conditions. In a new study published in Biology Letters, UBC zoologist Dr. Michelle Tseng and researcher Shim Gicole explored a more practical scenario, feeding mealworms ground-up face masks—a common plastic waste—mixed with bran to make it more appealing."
The Reality of Mealworms' Plastic Consumption
Mealworms, known as nature's scavengers and decomposers, can survive for up to eight months without food or water and are even willing to eat their own kind when food is scarce.
In a 30-day study, researchers discovered that the mealworms consumed approximately half of the available microplastics—around 150 particles per insect—and gained weight. While they excreted a small fraction of the microplastics (about 4 to 6 particles per milligram of waste), they absorbed most of it. Interestingly, eating microplastics did not seem to harm their survival or growth.
The Future of Plastic-Eating Insects
Dr. Tseng suggests the next step is to understand how the mealworms' digestive processes break down microplastics, and how this knowledge can be used to combat plastic pollution. “Maybe we should start seeing insects as allies. We’re killing millions of them with pesticides, yet they could help us solve the very plastic and chemical problems we face.”
