# The First Report of Enterobacter Endosymbionts in the Dried Fruit Mite (Carpoglyphus lactis L.) (Acari, Acarida) Reared on Apricots in the Laboratory

## TL;DR

Scientists discovered a new type of bacteria living inside a common mite, which could help in controlling allergies and managing mite populations.

## Contribution

First report of Enterobacter endosymbionts in the dried fruit mite, revealing a novel microbial association.

## Key findings

- Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. xiangfangensis was identified as an endosymbiont in Carpoglyphus lactis.
- The bacteria may enhance the mite's stress tolerance and nutritional efficiency.
- This discovery could lead to new strategies for allergy mitigation and biological control.

## Abstract

Carpoglyphus lactis (Linnaeus), a member of the family Carpoglyphidae, is recognised both as a common storage mite and a significant source of indoor allergens. Despite extensive studies on its biology and distribution, little is known about its associated microbiome. In this study, for the first time, we investigated the bacterial symbionts of
C. lactis
reared under sterile laboratory conditions on dried apricots. Following surface sterilisation, bacterial isolates were cultured and identified through biochemical tests and molecular analyses targeting the 16S rRNA and gapA genes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolated strains shared over 98% similarity with
Enterobacter hormaechei
and clustered specifically within the
E. hormaechei
subsp. xiangfangensis clade. These findings confirm the presence of Enterobacter species as endosymbionts in
C. lactis
for the first time. The symbiotic relationship may contribute to host stress tolerance, nutritional efficiency and modulation of allergenic properties. This discovery opens new avenues for exploring mite–microbe interactions and developing innovative strategies for biological control and allergy mitigation.

This study reports for the first time the presence of
Enterobacter hormaechei subsp. xiangfangensis as an endosymbiont in the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis, reared on apricots under sterile laboratory conditions. Through surface sterilisation, bacterial culturing and molecular identification (16S rRNA and gapA gene analysis), the bacterial strains were confirmed and phylogenetically classified. The identified symbiosis suggests potential roles in stress tolerance, improved nutrition and allergen modulation in
C. lactis
. These findings offer new insights into mite–microbe interactions and their possible implications in allergy control and biological strategies.