PARIS - A moth caterpillar commonly bred to provide fish bait feasts on a notoriously resistant plastic, scientists reported on Monday, raising hopes the creature can help in the fight against pollution.

"This discovery could be an important tool for helping to get rid of the polyethylene plastic waste accumulated in landfill sites and oceans," said Cambridge University professor Paolo Bombelli, co-author of a study published in the journal Current Biology.

Polyethylene represents 40 percent of Europe's demand for plastic products, mostly in the form of packaging and shopping bags.