THREATS TO THE HONEYBEE

Varroa Mite

Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are external parasites of bees. The mites, which are about the size of a pinhead, use specialised mouthparts to attack developing bee larvae or adult bees, resulting indeformed bees, reduced lifespan, and ultimately the destruction of the colony or hive. These mites are the most important pests of honeybees around the world.

The varroa mites travel on the bees body. Because modern beekeeping practices of moving hives and equipment between apiary sites have the potential to spread mites quickly ovewr long distances. Newly hatched mites feed on growing bee larva. Adult mites attach themselves to adult bees and feed by sucking their blood. A heavily infested colony may have mites on a third or more of adult bees or brood.

The varroa mite weakens the bees, shortens their lives, or causes death from viruses which would normally cause little harm. In severly infested hives, bees may have stunted wings, missing legs or other deformities. The vitality of bees infested by the varroa mite has the potential to decline until all the bees in the colony are dead. One of the difficulties lies in the fact that the varroa mite can remain undetected in the hive for up to two years, by which time it is too late to prevent the spread to other nearby hives.

Besides the threat to the bee and honey industry, the varroa mite affects other industries as well, which rely on honeybees for pollination, including almonds, avocados, cotton, stone fruits, pome fruit, melons and pumpkins.

Varroa mites were discovered in New Zealand in 2000 and have already had an immense economic impact, with significant control costs and losses of bees, hives, honey production, crop yields and export revenue.

Currently, Australia is the one country in the world which remains varroa free. This means Australian honey is some of the purest in the world, with no addition of mitacides (some of the worst pesticides around) in the hives. Live bees cannot be imported into Australia without strict quarantine measures. Visitors must declare all bee and honey products for inspection, and some States also have their own quarantine restrictions on the movement of honey and bee products in Australia.