Northern Australia on watch for bee-killing varroa mites

Northern Australia is on watch for a destructive varroa mite that has caused the collapse of bee colonies in other parts of the world.

Analysis of the beehive found by stevedores at the Townsville port in northern Queensland state confirmed the presence of at least two varroa mites, forcing authorities to conduct a biosecurity surveillance within a 10 km radius.

"Asian honey bees are the natural host of this species of varroa mite. However a recent report by the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) has shown for the first time this species reproducing on European honey bees, and it is we are most concerned about," Biosecurity Queensland chief plant health manager Mike Ashton said in a statement on Wednesday.

As Australia's honey industry is reliant on the European honeybee, an outbreak of the mite would have disastrous consequences.

The mites usually invade the hive and feed on the larvae, ultimately destroying a beehive within three to five years.

While the mites have damaged bee colonies in Canada and the United States, the varroa mite linked to European honey bees is known to be widespread in Papua New Guinea (PNG) neighboring Australia, increasing biosecurity concerns.

Asian honey bees have been established in parts of far northern Queensland state in Australia for many years, but the mites themselves are not known to be present, Ashton said.

Authorities have destroyed the feral beehive found at the port, and to date, no others have been found in the area. However the surveillance program will be extended to a number of other managed hives in the Townsville area to ensure no varroa mite infestation. Endit