Greater wax moth larvae (waxworm)

1 mention

Tiny caterpillar larvae capable of consuming polyethylene plastic through their gut microbiome. Naturally parasitize bee colonies by consuming honeycomb wax. Being studied for potential plastic waste biodegradation applications.

Often mentioned with · Organizations

Brandon University

Higher education

institution Canada 1 mention

Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria

Biomedical and biotechnology research

institution Spain 1 mention

Often mentioned with · Technologies

Gut microbiome-based biodegradation

A biological process where waxworm caterpillars and their gut bacteria work synergistically to break down polyethylene plastic. The gut microbes are essential to the plastic degradation process.

Polyethylene degradation

The breakdown of polyethylene, a common non-biodegradable plastic used in bags and other products. Waxworms have demonstrated the fastest known method for breaking down polyethylene plastic bags.

Often mentioned with · Locations

Often mentioned with · Projects

Waxworm plastic biodegradation research

Research investigating how waxworm caterpillars and their gut microbiome can break down polyethylene plastic. Findings published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal.

operational 1 mention

Often mentioned with · People

Christophe LeMoine

Canada 1 mention

Federica Bertocchini

Spain 1 mention

Often mentioned with · Research studies

Plastic-eating waxworm capability study

Waxworm gut microbiome and polyethylene biodegradation

In the news (1)

Plastic eating waxworm caterpillars may help overcome pollution problems

6 years 3 months ago

Get the H2 Markets Brief

what 120,000+ hydrogen industry pros read every Monday.

Get the H2 Markets Brief

what 120,000+ hydrogen industry pros read every Monday.