The larvae of wax moths, commonly known as wax worms, have the ability to break down polyethylene in their bodies. Wax worms have been considered a pest since ancient times because they parasitize beehives, feeding on beeswax. “Understanding the biological mechanisms and consequences on fitness associated with plastic biodegradation is key to using wax worms for large-scale plastic remediation,” he says. This revealed that the breaking down of polyethylene is dependent on the wax worms’ gut microbes. This revealed how robust and persistent the wax worm’s gut flora is in its ability to break down plastics.