ISSUE FOCUS 24 Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2025 that most microorganisms cannot break them down. They lack weak points for easy cleavage, and their large molecular chains are too big to enter microbial cells where digestion should occur (Yang et al., 2024). Since the 1960s, scientists have searched for microbes capable of degrading plastic, but very few have proven effective. That’s why plastics can persist in the environment for decades or even centuries. Still, while the term “biodegradation” is usually linked to microbes, new frontiers are being explored —and some of them involve insects as a promising and sustainable alternative. A DUAL SOLUTION WITH PLASTIC-EATING LARVAE Although the plastic problem has been studied for over half a century, the idea that certain insects could degrade it is relatively recent. In 2015, collaborative studies across 28 countries confirmed that larvae of Tenebrio molitor —also known as yellow mealworm— were able to consume expanded polystyrene (EPS) (Yang et al., 2024). To date, at least 11 insect species, mostly in the larval stage, have been identified as capable of biodegrading plastics. The most thoroughly documented in terms of efficiency are T. molitor, Tenebrio obscurus, Zophobas atratus, and Galleria mellonella —all noted for their ability to consume and transform EPS and other types of plastic (Siddiqui et al., 2024; Yang et al., 2024). Similar behaviors have also been observed in other insects such as the black soldier fly, cockroaches, and termites, though more research is needed to confirm their actual effectiveness in plastic degradation. This approach becomes even more relevant when we consider that, beyond the environmental crisis, the global food system also faces urgent challenges: A growing population and the rising cost of animal feed inputs. In this context, insect larvae emerge as a potential dual-purpose solution: They could help degrade certain types of plastic while also serving as an alternative protein source for animal feed. One organism — two functions. Before delving into protein production using plastic-eating larvae, it's important to understand how this degradation process occurs. HOW LARVAE BREAK DOWN PLASTIC AND HOW EFFICIENT THIS PROCESS IS Certain insect larvae are capable of biodegrading plastic thanks to a combination of digestive Degrading plastic is challenging due to its chemical structure, designed to resist attack by most microorganisms and prevent decomposition Yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor Dark mealworm Tenebrio obscurus Greater wax moth Galleria mellonella Superworm Zophobas atratus Insect species proven most effective at biodegrading plastics Insect species known for their ability to consume various plastics primarily include beetle and moth larvae
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