Overview
- A PLOS One paper published July 1, 2026 tested superworm larvae on eight donated specimens and found the insects removed flesh from skeletons inside enclosed containers over hours to days.
- The study covered specimens from a 9-gram bat to a 4.2-kilogram wolf and reported consistent cleaning across small and large bodies under the lab conditions used.
- Researchers identified an optimal stocking density of about 10–15 grams of larvae per gram of specimen that sped cleaning while avoiding damage to fragile bones such as bird skulls.
- The authors say the method avoids hazardous chemicals, is easier to contain than multi-stage dermestid beetle colonies because larvae do not pupate in crowded conditions, and relies on commercially available pet-feed superworms.
- Results are laboratory-scale proof of concept with no specific funding declared, and wider adoption will depend on independent validation, formal protocols, and museum-level trials to confirm safety and operational benefits.