9 ms·
Was a bit disappointed by the absence of insects. Maybe fix the title to "Microbes" rather than "Bugs".
by tomxor 4y ago
Was a bit disappointed by the absence of insects. Maybe fix the title to "Microbes" rather than "Bugs".
- Sprocklem 4y agoThe usage of "bugs" to refer to microbes in the press release was quite confusing, although note that the study does cite work that found some similar plastic-degrading microbes in the gut microbiota of some insects: > Certain species, such as larvae of Plodia interpunctella (waxworms), Tenebrio molitor (mealworms), and Galleria mellonella, were even found to have developed a flora that can degrade polyethylene (82, 83), polystyrene (84, 85), or both plastic types simultaneously (86). However, these organisms might have a highly adapted and specialized microbiome due to their direct exposure and breeding in specific plastic-contaminated habitats (82, 84), [...].