NEW DATA ON ASTIGMATIC MITES IN HONEY BEE HIVES IN WESTERN SIBERIA

Abstract

We studied the species composition, abundance and occurrence of astigmatic mites in honey bee hives in three regions of Western Siberia. The acarofauna of hives was studied on 15 apiaries in the following 3 regions of Western Siberia in 2020–2021: the administrative south of the Tyumen Region, the eastern part of the Sverdlovsk Region and the Altai Territory. To study the qualitative and quantitative composition of mites, we examined samples of dead bees, wax-bee-bread crumbs, honeycombs and live bees. A total of 102 samples were collected and studied. In total, 2143 mites were identified as a result of the study. Astigmata prevailed in number and accounted for 57.53% of all mites found in the hives. The incidence was 31.37%. A total of 8 Astigmata species were identified. Two species of Astigmata Tyrolichus casei Oudemans, 1910 and Aeroglyphus robustus (Banks, 1906) were found for the first time in bee hives in Western Siberia. Glycyphagus domesticus turned out to be the eudominant in its number (41.4%) and surpassed the main parasitic mite of the honey bee, Varroa destructor (38.2%). The dominant species in terms of its occurrence is Tyrolichus casei in our study. Among other species, Carpoglyphus lactis was recorded, which can pose a threat to weak honey bee colonies. The potential negative and positive role of astigmatic mites in honey bee hives is under discussion.