Wax moth 'worms' eat polythene

[Amari]

BBC Radio 4 6 pm News today: report that scientists have discovered that wax moth larvae are able to break down polythene.
A solution to the plastics crisis?
A commercial opportunity for beekeepers - forget the honey, just breed wax moths.......?
[Sorry I can't find a link to the BBC website]

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

bit slow off the mark the BBC aren't they? it was discussed on here a few years ago

 

[JamezF]

Can't find it at all on the BBC website, but it's on the Nature site (behind a paywall) and the Grauniad also covers it:

Wax worm saliva rapidly breaks down plastic bags, scientists discover

James

 

[Anduril]

First discovered in 2014, so old news, but with the research they have identified 2 enzymes that break down plastic. I wonder if wax moth larvae are edible and we end up eating the plastic.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Considering everything is recycled we end up eating all, including our ancestors

 

[Anduril]

Considering everything is recycled we end up eating all, including our ancestors

Soylent Green

 

[Erichalfbee]

Soylent Green

And it's already 2022. I must watch it again

 

[Bodiam Bees]

Interesting ... a new one for me. Scroll forward to about 17min 45 seconds:
Six O'Clock News - 04/10/2022 Prime Minister faces fresh row - BBC Sounds

 

[Cuckmere couple]

bu99er

having just put polythene between all my stacked supers to prevent encroachment

actually i have seen this happen i think but not with thick builders plastic sheeting

 

[Ian123]

bu99er

having just put polythene between all my stacked supers to prevent encroachment

actually i have seen this happen i think but not with thick builders plastic sheeting

They eat poly hives…..there thicker!

 

[Amari]

Considering everything is recycled we end up eating all, including our ancestors

On Ilkley Moor Ba T'at

 

[Cuckmere couple]

First discovered in 2014, so old news, but with the research they have identified 2 enzymes that break down plastic. I wonder if wax moth larvae are edible and we end up eating the plastic.

have people seen that video of the American guy eating drone brood....looks pretty unpleasant to me

 

[Nannysbees]

have people seen that video of the American guy eating drone brood....looks pretty unpleasant to me

Yuck!!!!!

 

[Murox]

Well you could try grilled or barbecued honeycomb with larvae "in Laos and Cambodia, where bee larvae honeycomb is popular. Bee larvae has a lot of flavour apparently, Described by a chef as tasting like “fatty honey,” the larvae survive on beebread, which is the slightly fermented pollen stores of the hive which contributes to the subtly sweet flavour. "

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I wonder if wax moth larvae are edible and we end up eating the plastic.

can't be worse than a MacDonalds

 

[hemo]

A chinese beek of HK decent who is a member of the LBKA I use to belong to did the outback thing of eating drone brood one day at a meeting, he did invite others to try but know one joined in.

 

[JamezF]

On Ilkley Moor Ba T'at

I've always thought of it as a salutory tale regarding the perils of rambling whilst inappropriately attired, but yes, I can see how it might work as a cannibal's anthem

James

 

[Anduril]

have people seen that video of the American guy eating drone brood....looks pretty unpleasant to me

Many years ago in Howells, part of the House of Fraser group. They were selling pickled honeybees.

 

[rossbyjove]

And it's already 2022. I must watch it again

Just don't watch it on magic mushrooms as I did many years ago !!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just don't watch it on magic mushrooms as I did many years ago !!!

There madness lies? Maybe that’s why you are a beekeeper ?