Abstract
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), and expanded polystyrene (EXPS) are the most common plastics found in every home of the world, but only ~ 10% enter the recycling chains. Consequently, the study of plastic 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 consumption have been rarely reported. We evaluated the consumption of different plastics by G. mellonella larvae (L7, mean size: 25–30 mm) and its effect on larval duration, survival, and development. For this, we offered the larvae five diets: single-layered LDPE, EXPS, BOPP, triple-layered polyethylene (SB, for silo-bags), and a control with beeswax. We recorded the state and weight of the materials and the state of larvae until they reached the adult stage. Larvae consumed more PE (both LDPE and SB) and EXPS than BOPP; still, they were able to emerge as adults in all treatments. Larvae that consumed plastics turned into pupal stage faster than those that consumed beeswax, regardless of the type and amount of plastic consumed. This is the first report of wild G. mellonella larvae in Argentina consuming biaxially polypropylene and silo-bags.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to María Angélica Occhionero, who helped with the lab work, and to the beekeepers Nelson Lizarraga and Mario Gallo, who donated larvae for our work. The Escuela de Agricultura y Sacarotecnia from the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina, contributed to the maintenance of moth colonies in the experimental apiary at Horco Molle. Thanks to students and colleagues that collaborated with data gathering and manuscript edition.
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This work was supported by Secretaría de Estado de Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico from the government of Tucumán (Grant number SIDETEC 18) and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, government of Argentina (Grant number PICT 2017-0833).
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JMRB, EM, AGC, AM, RdC, AC, and ACMG contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation was performed by JMRB, EM, AGC, RdC, AC, and ACMG. Data collection was performed by JMRB, and data analysis was performed by JMRB, EM, and ACMG. The first draft of the manuscript was written by JMRB, EM, and ACMG, and all the authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. Financial resources were searched by AM, EM, AGC, RdC, AC, and ACMG and administered by AM. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Ruiz Barrionuevo, J.M., Martín, E., Galindo Cardona, A. et al. 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. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 68132–68142 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20534-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20534-1