Lee M.*, Simakova A.V., Babkina I.B., Bagirov R.T-o., Frank Yu.A. 2023. Long-term dynamics of microplastic accumulation in the intestinal tract of terrestrial insects on the example of Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.32. No.4: 387–393 [in English].
The National Research Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia.
* Corresponding author. E-mail: leemark98@mail.ru
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.32.4.04
ABSTRACT. The dynamics of microplastic (MP) accumulation in the intestinal tract of terrestrial insects was studied based on the data obtained for the common wasp Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) for over 10 years. Wasps were collected in the vicinity of the village of Kireevsk (Tomsk region, Western Siberia, Russia) during the period of 2012 to 2021. A total of 167 individuals were examined. MPs were detected in wasps during all years of the study; fragments and fibers of various colors and sizes were recorded. The MP content did not show statistically significant changes over the past decade. Since 2019, the number of MP particles per individual increased. The ratio of multi-colored fragments and fibers over the years did not show statistically significant changes. In recent years, the proportion of larger fibers and fine particles has grown. The increased number of fibers may be due to an enhanced production and consumption of synthetic textiles; an increased proportion of fragments <0.05 mm may indicate a gradual MP fragmentation.
KEY WORDS: microplastics, Vespula vulgaris, long-term dynamics, bioaccumulation, fibers, particles.