Biology BulletinBiology BulletinИзвестия Российской академии наук. Серия биологическая1026-34703034-5367The Russian Academy of Sciences69800210.7868/S3034543X25060104ECOLOGYЭКОЛОГИЯResearch ArticleDestruction of polystyrene by larvae Ulomoides dermestoides (Chevrolat, 1878) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)ДЕСТРУКЦИЯ ВСПЕНЕННОГО ПОЛИСТИРОЛА ЛИЧИНКАМИ ULOMOIDES DERMESTOIDES (CHEVROLAT, 1878) (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)BastrakovA. IБастраковА. Иalbastrakov@gmail.comKhatsaevaR. MХацаеваР. МTriselevaT. AТриселеваТ. АUshakovaN. AУшаковаН. АSevertsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RASФГБУН Институт проблем экологии и эволюции им. А.Н. Северцова РАН151120256NO6 (2025)№6 (2025)72072807122025Copyright ©; 2025, Russian Academy of SciencesCopyright ©; 2025, Российская академия наук2025Russian Academy of SciencesРоссийская академия наукhttps://medjrf.com/1026-3470/article/view/698002

The larvae of the darkling beetle Ulomoides dermestoides are capable of destroying expanded polystyrene (EPS) during their feeding activity. The degree of destruction varied for EPS pieces of different size classes. For EPS pieces measuring 6×6, 3×3, 1.5×1.5 cm, the mass loss rate was 44.94±1.11, 51.34±2.54, 68.3±3.16%, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the size class of EPS pieces and their conversion rate. The rate of plastic degradation depended on the age stage of larval development. A significant decrease in the mass of the EPS was noted only after the 4th week of the experiment, when the larvae reached the 5th age. After the destruction process is complete, the oxidized EPS particles in the excrement corresponded to the size class of microplastics (<250 μm). EPS had no toxic effect on larval survival.

Личинки жука-чернотелки Ulomoides dermestoides способны осуществлять деструкцию вспененного полистирола (ВПС) в процессе своей пищевой активности. Степень деструкции различалась для кусков ВПС разного размерного класса. Для кусков ВПС размером 6×6, 3×3, 1.5×1.5 см показатель убыли массы составил 44,94±1.11, 51.34±2.54, 68.3±3.16%, соответственно. Наблюдалась отрицательная корреляционная взаимосвязь размерного класса кусков ВПС и показателя их конверсии. Скорость деградации пластика зависела от возрастной стадии развития личинок. Достоверное уменьшение массы ВПС отмечено только после 4-х недель эксперимента, когда личинки достигали 5-го возраста. По завершении процесса деструкции частицы окисленного ВПС в составе экскрементов соответствовали размерному классу микропластиков (<250 мкм). ВПС не оказывал токсического эффекта на выживаемость личинок.

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