AI Generated Image
A bug commonly sold at pet stores is helping scientists with a vexing task
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- Researchers at Ferdowsi University's natural history museum in Mashhad, Iran, have turned to superworms (Zophobas morio) to clean animal skeletons, addressing space limitations caused by numerous specimen donations.
- Superworms efficiently strip flesh from a variety of animal specimens, from tiny fish ribs to larger mammals, without damaging delicate bones, and can be reused for up to six months.
- This method offers an environmentally friendly and less damaging alternative to traditional techniques like chemical treatments, boiling, or dermestid beetles, which can harm specimens or pose risks if they escape.
- Superworms remain in their larval stage when kept together, preventing them from becoming adult beetles that could threaten museum collections, making them a controllable option for specimen cleaning.
- Experts note potential concerns, such as the worms' strong mandibles possibly damaging small bones and their preference for plant-based diets, which may affect their feeding behavior on cadavers.
