First report of the lesser wax moth <i>Achroia grisella</i> F. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) consuming polyethylene (silo-bag) in northwestern Argentina

Chalup, Adriana Elizabeth; Ayup, María Marta; Monmany-Garzia, A. Carolina; Malizia, Agustina; Martín, Eduardo; Cristóbal, Ricardo De; Galindo‐Cardona, Alberto

doi:10.1080/00218839.2018.1484614

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Thus far there have been more than 56 species across 25 genera of bacteria and fungi associated with polyethylene biodegradation (see [44]; [18]). In addition, a handful of lepidopteran species has recently come under the spotlight as exceptional 'plastivores' [10,14,17,18]. By contrast to the typically slow rates of polyethylene degradation by microorganisms in vitro [9], the process appears considerably accelerated within an insect host [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Role of the intestinal microbiome in low-density polyethylene degradation by caterpillar larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella

et al. 2020

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Recently, a few insects, including the caterpillar larva of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella , have been identified as avid ‘plastivores’. These caterpillars are able to ingest and metabolize polyethylene at unprecedented rates. While it appears that G. mellonella plays an important role in the biodegradation process, the contribution of its intestinal microbiome remains poorly understood and contested. In a series of experiments, we present strong evidence of an intricate relationship between an intact microbiome, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation and the production of glycol as a metabolic by-product. First, we biochemically confirmed that G. mellonella larvae consume and metabolize LDPE, as individual caterpillars fed on polyethylene excreted glycol, but those excretions were reduced by antibiotic treatment. Further, while the gut bacterial communities remained relatively stable regardless of diet, we showed that during the early phases of feeding on LDPE (24–72 h), caterpillars exhibited increased microbial abundance relative to those starved or fed on their natural honeycomb diet. Finally, by isolating and growing gut bacteria with polyethylene as their exclusive carbon source for over 1 year, we identified microorganisms in the genus Acinetobacter that appeared to be involved in this biodegradation process. Taken collectively, our study indicates that during short-term exposure, the intestinal microbiome of G. mellonella is intricately associated with polyethylene biodegradation in vivo .

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, several insect species, most notably coleopterans and lepidopterans, were found to possess the remarkable ability to consume and degrade different polymers [4,[14][15][16][17][18]. For example, Plodia interpunctella (Indian mealworms) can consume polyethylene and harbours several polyethylene-degrading intestinal bacteria [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of the intestinal microbiome in low-density polyethylene degradation by caterpillar larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella

et al. 2020

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“…Notably, a few studies reported that the waxworms, possessing an inherent ability to feed on and digest beeswax, could chew, and eat PE films (Yang et al, 2014;Bombelli et al, 2017;Chalup et al, 2018;Kundungal et al, 2019). The biodegradation of PE has been detected through contact with the homogenate of the waxworm Galleria mellonella (Bombelli et al, 2017) or after passage through the gut of the lesser waxworm Achroia grisella (Kundungal et al, 2019), according to the changes in chemical compositions characterized by the analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).…”

Section: Pementioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Degradation and Valorization of Plastic Wastes

2020

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“…En un ecosistema productivo, Ruiz Barrionuevo y colaboradores (resultados no publicados) exploraron el consumo de plástico de silobolsas de dos especies de polillas, Achroia grisella F. y Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae). En Tucumán, registraron estas dos especies de polillas consumiendo silobolsas en colmenas abandonadas (Chalup et al 2018). Para entender si la presencia de microorganismos sobre el cuerpo degradaba el plástico, primero determinaron si existían diferencias en el consumo de silobolsas entre larvas lavadas con antibióticos y controles sin antibiótico (Figura 2B).…”

Section: De Este a Oeste Y De Lo Micro A Lo Macrounclassified

¿Qué estudiamos los ecólogos cuando investigamos los residuos plásticos en ambientes terrestres y dulceacuícolas de la Argentina?

et al. 2020

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RESUMEN.La incógnita planteada en el título reunió a un grupo de investigadores en el simposio "Ecología de residuos plásticos: ¿Qué estudiamos en Argentina?", llevado a cabo en la XXVIII Reunión Argentina de Ecología. En esta comunicación hacemos un análisis del contexto nacional sobre residuos plásticos. Nuestros estudios en ecología de plásticos buscaron mitigar, por un lado, y cuantificar los residuos plásticos, por otro lado. Estos estudios ocurrieron en la mitad norte del país, en ambientes terrestres y acuáticos, y se enfocaron en diferentes materiales plásticos y en distintos organismos, aunque las bacterias fueron de interés para la mayoría de nosotros. Concluimos con preguntas guía para ecólogos, basadas en los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de la ONU. Estas preguntas se relacionan con los ODS Agua Limpia y Saneamiento, Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles, Producción y Consumo Responsable y Vida Submarina y Sobre la Tierra.[Palabras clave: ambientes acuáticos y terrestres, comunidades animales, contaminación plástica, Reunión Argentina de Ecología] ABSTRACT. What do we ecologists study when we investigate plastic waste in terrestrial and freshwater environments of Argentina? What kind of research questions do ecologists make in relation to plastic waste in Argentina? This question gathered a group of researchers at the symposium "Ecology of plastic waste: What do we study in Argentina?", held at the XXVIII Argentinian Ecology Meeting. In this communication we analyze the national context on plastic waste. Our studies on the ecology of plastics sought to mitigate, on the one hand, and to quantify plastic waste, on the other hand. These studies occurred in the northern half of the country, in terrestrial and aquatic environments, and were focused on different plastic materials and diverse organisms, though bacteria were of interest for the majority of us. We conclude with guiding questions for ecologists, based on the Sustainable Development Objectives of the UN. These questions are related to: Clean Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Life Below Water and on Land.

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First report of the lesser wax moth Achroia grisella F. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) consuming polyethylene (silo-bag) in northwestern Argentina

Cited by 20 publications

References 7 publications

Role of the intestinal microbiome in low-density polyethylene degradation by caterpillar larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella

Role of the intestinal microbiome in low-density polyethylene degradation by caterpillar larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella

Microbial Degradation and Valorization of Plastic Wastes

¿Qué estudiamos los ecólogos cuando investigamos los residuos plásticos en ambientes terrestres y dulceacuícolas de la Argentina?

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