Carnivorous superworms clean animal skeletons in a few hours

Beetle larvae known as "superworms" could help museums clean animal skeletons more quickly and with less risk of bone damage, according to a study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

Researchers observed that hundreds of these insects can remove practically all the meat from dead animals in a few hours or days, depending on the size of the carcass. In one test, a squirrel was cleaned in just a few hours.

Currently, many museums use chemicals, enzymes or colonies of dermestid beetles to prepare skeletons for research and exhibitions. However, these methods can be expensive, generate waste, damage bones, or require care to prevent insects from escaping and infesting other collections.

Superworms are the larvae of the beetle Zophobas atratus and are already widely used as food for reptiles, fish, amphibians and birds.

According to researchers, one of the main advantages is that, when kept in large groups, they remain in the larval stage and do not transform into adult beetles. This reduces the risk of escape and infestation in museums.

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To test the technique, the team placed hundreds of superworms on the carcasses of different species, from a small mouse to a gray wolf. Before that, the animals had their skin and organs removed. In larger specimens, the researchers also used hot water to soften the remaining tissue.

Then, the carcasses were placed in containers with different amounts of larvae to evaluate the speed and efficiency of cleaning.

The results indicated that the superworms were able to remove the tissues without causing damage to the skeletons. For the authors, the technique can represent a simpler, cheaper and less environmentally impactful alternative for preparing pieces destined for scientific collections and exhibitions.

Source: CNN