PRJNA474915
Galleria mellonella Raw sequence reads
Waxworms of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) have become popularized within the scientific and public community with recent reports that they could consume plastic bags and produce ethylene glycol from the digestion of polyethylene. Curiosity into their ability to breakdown plastic bares connections to their natural diet of beeswax. G. mellonella are common pests to beehives, stored comb, and are commonly associated with beekeeping. It is well understood that G. mellonella possesses a microbiome which aids in the digestion of wax, which may also contribute to their ability to degrade polyethylene. In these studies, we examine the underlying mechanisms used by G. mellonella to breakdown plastic as well as how feeding on plastic impacts their metabolism and fitness.