Following the recent detection of varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in biosecurity surveillance hives at the Port of Newcastle in NSW, Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) is urging Tasmanian beekeepers to be on high alert for any signs of the pest within their hives.
NSW Department of Primary Industries have acted immediately to put in place eradication plans including the treatment of beehives within a 10 km emergency zone around the initial detection. Movement restrictions for European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are in place for the whole of NSW.
BT, with support from the Tasmanian industry, conducts regular surveillance for bee pests and diseases, including the varroa mite, on sentinel and guard hives maintained as part of the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program at Burnie, Devonport, Bell Bay and Hobart.
Restrictions on the import of bees, apiary products and used apiary equipment into Tasmania are already in place but are being reviewed in light of the varroa mite detection in NSW. BT has already put in place increased vigilance measures for bee equipment and bee related products entering Tasmania, and for increased surveillance activities for container and shipping movements from NSW, particularly from the Port of Newcastle. BT is also considering further steps to help reduce the risk to Tasmania.
BT is working very closely with Tasmanian beekeepers to ensure that they are kept up to date on the response taking place in NSW and have provided advice and support to registered beekeepers in raising their awareness of the disease, suggested hive inspection measures and actions necessary to report any suspected detections. BT has also provided advice to relevant shipping container depots at points of entry to ensure that staff remain vigilant and immediately report the presence of bees or nests on containers or vessels.
Varroa destructor is considered the greatest threat to Australia's honey and honey bee pollination plant industries. Varroa destructor is not established in Australia. Australia is one of the few counties in the world to remain free of varroa mite. Varroa mite can spread long distances on clothes, equipment, vehicles and through the transport of infected hives.
If varroa mite were to establish in Australia, European honey bees and the pollination services provided could be reduced by 90-100 per cent. This would result in a significant impact for apiarists, who would face higher costs to manage their hives and would impact on producers of crops such as almonds, apples and cherries that rely on pollination from European honey bees.
If you see anything unusual in your bee hives, or see any suspicious bee swarms near a port, immediately call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 or contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 or email biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au.
Information about bee biosecurity, hive care, and photos that will help you identify varroa mite, are available on the Bee Aware website: beeaware.org.au.
For more information on varroa mite please visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website: https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/bees/varroa-mite.