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Annoying this uses the word "bugs," which is commonly used to mean insects; the article actually discusses only "microbes" and "bacteria." These can be called bugs colloquially, but why not just use the word "microbes" in the title?

This might seem pedantic, but it is not a new result to have find microbes that can digest plastics; AFAIK no "bugs" (insects or other creepy-crawlies) have gained such abilities yet, so the result is a very clickbaity headline.



Actually there's a worm/larva that can eat styrofoam, not sure whether this is a great link, but:

https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/beetle-larvae-can...


I thought they determined it was bacteria in the gut?


Well, yes, but still. This is fascinating!


I think I read about some mealworm-y bug that can eat styrofoam (however the microbes in that worm's gut were doing the actual digestion of the styrene)

Edit: found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uoOUAfY6Cc

and Thoughtemporium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9PWzkUG2s


"I'm not feeling well" "Oh, got a bug from someone?"


So, colloquially?


"Bugs" is more or less only ever used as a colloquial term.




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