Vinuthna Akurati

Microplastics, which come from a variety of sources, pose a major threat to both human health and the environment. Their presence has been linked to a range of negative impacts, from increased respiratory issues to the risk of exposure to pollutants carried by the plastics, and they remain in the environment by settling into soil and water. Much existing work on the effects of microplastics in natural ecosystems focuses on freshwater and marine environments; this work aimed to fill gaps in our understanding of terrestrial environments and their impacts on pollinators. We focus on microplastics in Minnesota's urban and residential regions, surveying plastics using plants and diverse insects in the field,including a focus on surveying communities of color and lower socioeconomic positions, which are often disproportionally affected by pollution. In the present research, we asked how. Pieris butterflies' consumption of microplastics affects their physical features. Our study focuses on the effect on wing length, egg counts, and the development of charcoal black forewing spots. We hope to untangle the delicate link between microplastic exposure and physiological responses in Pieris butterflies by conducting a comprehensive investigation of these biological indicators. Focusing on this keystone species will reveal the ecological implications and potential cascade impacts on urban and suburban ecosystem health. Results to date suggest that Pieris butterflies are relatively robust to microplastic exposure. This study enhances understanding of microplastic pollution and offers insights for targeted ecological remediation, emphasizing insect-plant interactions in urban environmental management strategies.