Long considered non-biodegradable plastic, which is among biggest contributors to global pollution, has possibly met its match that is the small, brownish, squirmy mealworm. According to researchers, the mealworm can survive on a diet of Styrofoam and other kinds of plastic.

New studies published in Environmental Science and Technology by co-authors Professor Jun Yang and his doctorate student Yu Yang of Beihang University, and Stanford University engineer Wei-Min Wu, have suggested that the mealworm's gut have microorganisms that can biodegrade polyethylene, which is a common form of plastic.

In an interview with CNN, Wu said that the findings are revolutionary, and are one of the biggest breakthroughs in environmental science in the last decade. He added that the findings could prove helpful in solving the issue of plastic pollution, the world is facing today.

During the study, 100 mealworms were documented that consumed 34 to 39 milligrams of Styrofoam, nearly equally to the weight of a pill, per day. Scientists also observed the mealworms' overall health and noticed larvae that consumed a diet subsisting strictly of Styrofoam were as healthy as mealworms that ate a normal bran diet.

They discovered that mealworms transformed the consumed plastic into carbon dioxide, worm biomass and biodegradable waste. As per the studies, this waste seemed safe for using in soil for plants and even crops.

Furthermore, Wu said that the discovery of insects that can safely degrade plastic is very important for potential pollution management as other insects like cockroaches can also eat plastic, but they have not shown biodegradation.

"The most important part is understanding that the mealworm's gut is so efficient in degrading plastic," he said. "The bacteria is essential." When researchers fed mealworms antibiotics and then plastic, that plastic was not degraded.

"The mealworm's gut environment is very important," he said.

"We need to be better at recycling. We shouldn't waste plastic anywhere," he said.