Flesh-eating superworms could be used to clean skeletons for museum displays, according to new research. The mealworm-like form of beetle larva, commonly used as pet food, is an ultra-efficient cleaner of skeletons, reveals the study.
Efficient Cleaning Method
Trials conducted by German and Iranian scientists found that superworm larvae are a “safe, practical” way for cleaning museum specimens. Clean animal skeletons are an invaluable resource for scientific research and education.
The research team investigated the use of “superworm” beetle larvae for cleaning skeletons. They introduced varied numbers of superworms to eight enclosed animal specimens, up to the size of a 4.2-kilogram (9-pound) wolf. Over a period of hours to days, the larvae efficiently removed the flesh from the skeletons, inside and out.
The researchers found that 10 to 15 grams of larva per gram of animal specimen minimized cleaning time while also avoiding damage to the bones. The larvae were able to clean even delicate bird skulls with no skeletal damage, according to the findings published in the journal PLOS One.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
