Bee on the lookout for varroa mites

Bee movements across the country are being restricted and authorities are closely monitoring Queensland’s bee population following the detection of a deadly honey bee parasite in biosecurity surveillance hives at the Port of Newcastle in June. Since varroa mite (Varroa destructor) was first detected, at least 100 infected premises have been discovered in NSW and eradication zones are currently in place around the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Narrabri and Nana Glen areas. All confirmed cases either have clear links to existing cases or are geographically related and 75% of all hives within the eradication zones have been euthanised. Varroa mites mainly feed and reproduce on honey bee larvae and pupae, leading to malformations, as well as transmitting numerous viruses. Varroa destructor does not pose a threat to native Australian honey bees. This is not the first time Australia has witnessed incursions of varroa mites. In 2016, 2019 and 2020, Varroa jacobsoni was detected on exotic Asian honey bee at the Port of Townsville. The pest was eradicated and proof of freedom from Varroa jacobsoni was declared in 2021. In 2018 Varroa destructor was detected in Victoria in a swarm of European honey bees on arriving cargo. The bees were reported by the crew of the arriving vessel. The government agencies responded and the swarm was eliminated. After previous incursions were eradicated, Australia was the only inhabited continent in the world free of varroa mite. A widespread varroa mite outbreak would have a devastating effect on Australia’s horticulture industry. Over 35 agricultural industries are reliant on bee pollination, including apples, macadamias, avocados, almonds, blueberries and cherries. Vice president of the Queensland Beekeepers Association, Brad Jensen, said professional honey beekeepers pollinated about $14 billion worth of crops across Australia each year, highlighting how critical the industry was to food production. “Without the bees they’ll have to look for other crops to grow,” he said. Queensland updated the movement control orders in August, with a biosecurity instrument permit now necessary for moving bees, hives, used equipment or bee products (including unprocessed honey) from another state into Queensland. Beekeepers are also urged to monitor their hives for unexpected hive deaths, deformed bees, parasites, poor brood patterns and dead broods. Queensland growers who engage beekeepers for pollination services need to make arrangements for a local supply ahead of the growing season. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner, said the threat of varroa mite made it even more critical to source local bees. “Under current restrictions, bees and hives from New South Wales cannot be brought into Queensland,” Minister Furner said. “Anybody who usually sources bees from interstate for pollination is encouraged to engage with local Queensland-based beekeepers for these services. “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our horticultural industries, which rely heavily on bees for pollination, are protected. We are watching this very closely, because it does have the potential for impacts on our agricultural industry. “It is vital that any beekeepers who spot something not quite right with their hives report to Biosecurity Queensland as soon as possible,” Minister Furner said. Secretary of the Queensland Beekeepers’ Association, Jo Martin, said it was a critical time for the beekeeping industry and urged growers to consider how they could support beekeepers to maintain bee biosecurity responsibilities. Continued on following page.

A close up of a varroa mite (IMAGE: US Department of Agriculture). A female varroa mite on a European honey bee.