Polystyrene is perhaps the most notorious of all the polymers that together we call “plastics.” They are used in packing peanuts and styrofoam containers, in bottles and disposal cutlery and jewel ...

The common Zophobas morio ‘superworm,’ seen here chowing down on some delicious polystyrene (The University of Queensland) (CN) — What if the key to solving one of our thorniest environmental dilemmas ...

Enzymes produced by gut bacteria in larvae of the beetle Zophobas morio can digest polystyrene. The enzymes could be adapted to degrade plastic in recycling plants. A previous study had found that ...

Bugs with backpacks could help search and rescue teams locate survivors. Researchers say that by equipping common beetles with microchip backpacks victims could be found within hours instead of days ...

‘Superworms’ acting as mini plastic recycling plants could pave the way for a process scale-up to life-size recycling plants. About 400 million tons of plastic waste is produced each year, globally.

Scientists assessed changes in the gut microbiome of superworms (Zophobas morio) in a new study. The University of Queensland Researchers in Australia have identified enzymes in the gut of certain ...

Scientists have discovered a virus that caused a nationwide die-off of superworms, a common food for birds, reptiles, other pets and, more and more so, even for humans as an alternative protein source ...

A species of worm with an appetite for polystyrene could be the key to plastic recycling on a mass scale. Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered the common Zophobas morio ...

A growing spotlight on insect welfare as research subjects, fodder for vertebrate animals, and patients for veterinarians highlights the need to establish humane euthanasia methods for these species.

Researchers have found a species of worm with an appetite for polystyrene could be the key to plastic recycling on a mass scale. Researchers at the University of Queensland have found a species of ...