Mites in chocolate production system: A case study in southern Brazil

This work aimed to recognize the mite fauna present in the different environments of a chocolate production system in Serra Gaúcha, Southern Brazil. The collections were carried out in August 2022 in different environments of an artisanal chocolate factory and store. Chocolate samples were collected from the store, the manufacturing process, the raw materials used to produce chocolates and the dust from the factory environments. Different collection methodologies were used depending on the materials' characteristics or environments. A total of 407 mites belonging to the families Acaridae, Anystidae, Blattisociidae, Cheyletidae, Glycyphagidae, Laelapidae, Pyemotidae, Tarsonemidae, Tetranychidae, Tydeidae, in addition to Oribatida and Uropodina, were collected. Tydeidae was most abundant, with 55% of the specimens found, with Brachytydeus oregonensis being the most representative, followed by Acaridae, with Tyrophagus putrescentiae representing 27.5% of the mites found.