Galleria mellonella Y Tenebrio molitor BIODEGRADADORES DE BOLSAS, POPOTES, VASOS DE UNICEL Y CUBREBOCAS

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Currently, articles based on polyethylene and polypropylene have become an important element to solve social needs. However, these products take between 100 and 1000 years to decompose. Therefore, the need arises to look for new strategies that allow the degradation of these products in a shorter period of time. <strong>Objetive.</strong> Determine the capacity of the larvae of <em>Galleria mellonella</em> L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and <em>Tenebrio molitor</em> L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to degrade bags, straws, glasses and face masks. <strong>Methodology.</strong> In the laboratory, five experiments were carried out with third and fourth instar larvae of <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In each experiment, the treatments (bags, straws, cups, and masks) and the <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em> larvae were placed in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Afterward, the larvae were weighed every 24 hours for 10 days to record the consumption of the treatments. <strong>Results.</strong> In experiments 1 and 2, no statistical difference was observed in the consumption of polyethylene and biodegradable bags and straws by the larvae of <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In contrast, a significant statistical difference was observed between treatments in the pupae record. In the results of experiments 3 and 4, a significant statistical difference was observed between the treatments in the consumption of glasses (polystyrene and polyhydroxyalkanoate) and in the development of pupae of <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In experiment 5, no significant statistical difference was observed between treatments in the consumption of masks and development of <em>G. mellonella</em> pupae. <strong>Implications.</strong> In this research work, basic information was generated on the consumption of bags, straws, cups, and face masks by <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In the case of the consumption of face masks, it is the first record of the consumption of this article by <em>G. mellonella</em> larvae. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em> consume products based on polyethylene, polystyrene and polyhydroxyalkanoate, likewise <em>G. mellonella</em> consumes face masks, essential product to avoid infections during the pandemic generated by the COVID-19 coronavirus.</p>