The Greater Wax Moth: Potential Solution to Our Plastic Nightmare?

Galleria mellonella, the greater wax moth, is recently discovered to possess the amazing ability of digesting plastic. This has ignited hopes that a solution to our plastic-filled landfills has finally arrived.

The moth is able to digest polyethylene by breaking down its chemical bonds. This is similar to the way it digests wax as both are alike in their chemical structures. It is hypothesised that the presence of plastic-eating bacteria in the moth's guts helps the latter to digest the plastic material. Such bacteria were found in the guts of another moth, the Indian mealmoth.

Since organisms which break down polyethylene exist in nature, would it be wise for us to exploit them? Scientists have pointed a potential major issue: wax is the main source of food for the greater wax moth and harvesting the moth in great numbers can lead to uncontrollable situations threatening the survival of bees.

Here are my thoughts after reading the articles on the greater wax moth:

1. Can the bacteria responsible for digesting polyethylene be isolated and grown in the laboratory, or does a symbiotic relationship exist between the bacteria and the greater wax moth?

2. Is the presence of bacteria responsible for the ability of the greater wax moth in digesting plastic? How can we determine which members of the gut flora are key to this ability?

Sources:

http://bgr.com/2017/04/24/plastic-eating-bugs-wax-moth-pollution/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/25/plastic-eating-bugs-wax-moth-caterpillars-bee