Density Carpoglyphus Lactis in Honey During Storage

Abstract

This study is devoted to identifying factors that may affect the development of the acarid mite Carpoglyphus lactis in honey during storage. The aim of the research was to determine the presence and abundance of C. lactis in different types of honey and at different moisture levels during storage. The object of the study was C. lactis and its abundance. The research material consisted of the surface layer of honey enriched with various impurities. The following methods were applied: analytical review of relevant literature; experimental methods involving variation of parameters (types of honey, moisture content, and storage duration); and mathematical–statistical analysis using computer-based mathematical functions. Overall, 556 mites were identified in the studied material, with a mean value of 2.29 ± 0.383 individuals per sample. Depending on the experimental variants, different mite abundances were observed. Among honeys with varying moisture content, the highest number of mites was recorded in honey with a moisture content of 22–23% (5.58 ± 0.894 individuals), while the lowest abundance of C. lactis was found in honey with a moisture content of 18–19% (only 0.07 ± 0.020 individuals per sample). Among different “types” of honey, the highest mite abundance was observed in “spring” honey (4.28 ± 0.883 individuals), whereas the lowest number of C. lactis was detected in “summer” honey (only 1.14 ± 0.112 individuals). Regarding storage duration, the highest number of these pests was found in honey from 2023 – 315 mites, accounting for 56.25% of the total number detected. The lowest abundance of C. lactis was recorded in honey from 2025 – only 97 mites, or 17.32%. The presence and abundance of C. lactis in different types of honey and at different moisture levels during storage were determined. Mites were detected exclusively on the honey surface layer at a depth of 1–10 mm. In samples taken from the lower layers of honey, C. lactis was not detected regardless of honey type or storage duration. Among the studied variants, high moisture content of “spring” honey and its prolonged storage were the most favorable conditions for increasing the abundance of C. lactis. The obtained results indicate the need for further research, particularly to determine the species composition of acarid mites and their abundance in beehives of honey bee colonies throughout the season.