Caterpillar Eats Plastic Bags

Scientists have discovered that the small wax moth caterpillar can consume one of the most common plastic types, which is very hard to break down: polyethylene. The plastic type is used in plastic bags, etc., and scientists concluded that the creature both eats and digests the plastic. About 100 caterpillars can break down 92 mg of plastic in 12 hours. The next step is to find out how the caterpillar does it.

CSIC COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT The caterpillar is used to eating the wax of beehive interiors, but it also likes plastic.