Why Are 125 Ml Plastic Sampling Jars Used For Small Hive Beetle Monitoring? Secure Your Apiary Data Integrity

Reliable containment and sample integrity are the primary reasons for utilizing 125 ml plastic sampling jars in Small Hive Beetle (SHB) epidemiological monitoring. These containers are specifically chosen for their superior sealing properties and chemical stability, which are critical for preserving hive debris samples during transport from the apiary to the laboratory.

The 125 ml plastic jar serves as a standardized vessel that protects sample integrity through superior sealing and chemical resistance, ensuring that the collected hive debris remains a representative snapshot of the apiary's infestation status during transport.

Securing Data Integrity

To ensure accurate epidemiological data, the physical condition of the sample must remain unchanged from the moment of collection until analysis.

Preventing Sample Leakage

The primary technical advantage of these jars is their excellent sealing properties.

This feature is non-negotiable for epidemiological monitoring, as it prevents the leakage of hive debris during transit.

Loss of material during transport would compromise the accuracy of the infestation count, rendering the data unreliable.

Minimizing Moisture Evaporation

Beyond preventing leaks, the seal and material quality work to minimize moisture evaporation.

Preserving the moisture content is often vital for maintaining the biological integrity of the sample components.

This stability ensures that the sample analyzed in the lab is virtually identical to the material collected in the field.

Chemical Stability

The plastic used in these jars offers high chemical stability.

This prevents the container from reacting with the organic hive debris or any preservation fluids that might be added.

Standardization for Statistical Accuracy

Epidemiology relies heavily on consistency to draw accurate conclusions about population health.

Ensuring Representative Sampling

The standardized 125 ml size is not arbitrary; it is calibrated to facilitate random collection from multiple hives.

By using a consistent volume, technicians can pool debris to ensure the sample volume is representative of the infestation status of the entire apiary.

This standardization removes variables related to container size, allowing for cleaner data comparison across different sites.

Understanding the Trade-offs: Transport vs. Screening

It is critical to distinguish between tools used for sample transport and tools used for active field screening.

The Limitation of Jars

Jars are designed for collection and transport, not for acting as a beetle trap within the hive.

They are passive vessels intended to move debris to a controlled environment for analysis.

Alternative Field Methods

For immediate, on-site detection, technicians often use corrugated plastic sheets.

These sheets mimic natural crevices to trap adult beetles for quick visual checks, but they do not replace the need for jars when physical samples must be retained for lab study.

Making the Right Choice for Your Goal

Select the appropriate tool based on whether you need immediate visual confirmation or detailed laboratory data.

If your primary focus is detailed epidemiological analysis: Prioritize the 125 ml plastic jars to transport hive debris safely without leakage or evaporation.
If your primary focus is rapid on-site screening: Utilize corrugated plastic sheets to quickly identify adult beetles hiding within the hive structure.

By using the 125 ml jars for their intended purpose, you ensure the chain of custody for your data remains unbroken and chemically stable.

Summary Table:

Feature	Benefit for SHB Monitoring	Importance
Superior Sealing	Prevents leakage of hive debris and moisture loss	Ensures sample volume and biological integrity
Chemical Stability	Resistant to organic matter and preservation fluids	Prevents sample contamination or container reaction
125 ml Standard Size	Uniform volume for pooled debris collection	Enables accurate statistical comparison across apiaries
Durable Plastic	High physical resistance during transport	Maintains chain of custody from field to laboratory

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References

Almudena Cepero, Raquel Martín‐Hernández. A two year national surveillance for Aethina tumida reflects its absence in Spain. DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-878

This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .