Comparative Analysis of Biodamage of Various Polyethylene Types by Galleria mellonella (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) Larvae

A comparative analysis of G. mellonella larvae’s ability to biodamage polyethylene of various types was carried out. 15 polyethylene (PE) samples of three types differing in their characteristics were explored, namely: type 1 (PE-1) was a package for food products (Petrothene LR 7340), type 2 (PE-2) was AIRplus air package for non-food goods (Hostalen GF 4750), and type 3 (PE-3) was a household package for purchases (NPE 953). The eating rate of these polyethylene types was up to 1.078 mg larva^-1 day^-1 (by weight) and up to 61.8 mm² larva^-1 day^-1 (by area). The largest number of perforations formed was observed in the PE-1 sample, namely, 0.857 units larva^-1 day^-1. Although PE-1 was preferred in this experiment, greater wax moth larvae ate all PE types. Most of the larvae in the control and experimental groups were active without stimulation, but single larvae showed activity after stimulation. No processes of melanization of the outer covers of G. mellonella larvae were observed in all groups. The results of survival rates, mobility, weight gain and melanization processes indicate no negative effects on larvae health when eating polyethylene. The use of samples with various characteristics made it possible to more widely assess the ability of greater wax moth larvae to biodamage polyethylene wastes.

Galleria mellonella, polyethylene, biodamage, IR Fourier spectroscopy

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