Galleria mellonella Y Tenebrio molitor BIODEGRADERS OF BAGS, STRAWS, UNICEL CUPS AND FACE MASK

Background. 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. Objetive. Determine the capacity of the larvae of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to degrade bags, straws, glasses and face masks. Methodology. In the laboratory, five experiments were carried out with third and fourth instar larvae of G. mellonella and T. molitor. In each experiment, the treatments (bags, straws, cups, and masks) and the G. mellonella and T. molitor 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. Results. In experiments 1 and 2, no statistical difference was observed in the consumption of polyethylene and biodegradable bags and straws by the larvae of G. mellonella and T. molitor. 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 G. mellonella and T. molitor. In experiment 5, no significant statistical difference was observed between treatments in the consumption of masks and development of G. mellonella pupae. Implications. In this research work, basic information was generated on the consumption of bags, straws, cups, and face masks by G. mellonella and T. molitor. In the case of the consumption of face masks, it is the first record of the consumption of this article by G. mellonella larvae. Conclusions. G. mellonella and T. molitor consume products based on polyethylene, polystyrene and polyhydroxyalkanoate, likewise G. mellonella consumes face masks, essential product to avoid infections during the pandemic generated by the COVID-19 coronavirus.