Superworms are a special type of beetle larvae discovered to have the ability to break down polystyrene (Styrofoam). These worms are called superworms due to their being considerably larger than regular mealworms – about 2 inches long. Many scientists believe superworms could play an important role in preventing pollution in the future.
To break down the polystyrene, the super worms first shred the material to make it more digestible. Afterward, specific bacterial enzymes in their gut help break down the polystyrene. Scientists from the University of Queensland have analyzed these specific bacteria and attempted to break down plastics but have been unsuccessful.
After viewing regular mealworms and their potential to break down plastics, these scientists decided to see if superworms could do something similar. The study included three groups of superworms, one fed on a diet of bran, one on a diet of polystyrene, and one was fed nothing. After observing the worms for three weeks, the scientists discovered that the worms fed exclusively on polystyrene survived and had small weight gains. After this, the scientists set the groups aside, and 67% of the polystyrene-fed worms were able to turn into beetles. While the worms fed on bran were the healthiest, the study showed that super worms can derive energy from polystyrene.
Despite the worms being able to live off of polystyrene, they are living unhealthily. It was considered to provide the worms with food waste or agricultural bio products along with polystyrene to improve their health in general, since these worms could be used to clear areas of the material. However, scientists are not suggesting that the worms be released into landfills/polluted areas; instead, they are using the worms as a basis to form a chemical process to degrade the material.
RELATED STORIES:
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/superworms-eat-and-survive-on-polystyrene/
- https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2022/06/superworms-capable-of-munching-through-plastic-waste
- https://sciencealert.com/styrofoam-munching-superworms-could-lead-to-plastic-upcycling
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9455710/
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/polystyrene-eating-superworms-may-provide-clues-for-better-recycling-180980239/
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