Two years following the detection of the Varroa destructor in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle, which initiated its spread throughout New South Wales, beekeepers across Australia are anticipating the pest's unavoidable spread. This situation affects not only commercial beekeepers but also the estimated 47,000 recreational beekeepers nationwide. The presence of the mite threatens various commercial and backyard fruit crops and native forests that depend on feral honeybees for pollination.
Despite an extensive multi-agency plant biosecurity response costing $132m and the destruction of approximately 30,000 hives, efforts to eradicate the mite ceased a year ago. The current strategy focuses on managing the mite's impact through education, including 110 workshops nationwide to inform beekeepers about monitoring and treating infestations. Regulations on hive movements remain to mitigate the spread, which has recently been identified near Mildura, Victoria, after detections across the Murray River.
Danny Le Feuvre, chief executive of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, acknowledges the inevitability of the spread, aiming to slow it for beekeeper preparedness. The response has seen varied reactions among beekeepers, with those operating across state borders generally supporting the current approach, while others favor more stringent measures.
Keegan Blignaut of Duxton Bees, reflecting on experiences in New Zealand where varroa is endemic, concurs with the inevitability of its spread. He anticipates that within two years, the mite will be endemic in all commercial hives. Beekeepers are advised to increase hive inspections and anticipate costs of about $55 per hive annually for chemical treatments. The industry may see a reduction in hive numbers as some beekeepers opt out due to the increased workload.
Hobby beekeepers, crucial for pollination services, are expected to be significantly impacted. The need for more skilled management of varroa could affect other industries reliant on bee pollination. Peter Gatehouse, a semi-commercial beekeeper, foresees a need to reduce hive numbers due to the heightened maintenance requirements.
Research into varroa's impact on feral honeybees and native forests is deemed necessary by Prof Sasha Mikheyev from the Australian National University, highlighting the urgency for government-funded studies. The federal Department of Agriculture is continuing investigations into the illegal importation of live bees.
Source: The Guardian