Varroa Jacobsoni Discovered Beekeepers Warned To Be Vigilant

A single Varroa Mite has been detected during a routine inspection at the Port of Brisbane.

The routine inspection, conducted by Biosecurity Queensland, completed diagnostic testing and confirmed that the mite in Varroa Jacobsoni, not Varroa Destructor.

The Varroa Jacobsoni mite parasitizes Asian honey bees, while the Varroa Destructor targets European honey bees.

While the common honey bee within Australia is the European honey bee, secondary testing is being conducted to determine if the mite is carrying any exotic viruses of honeys bees, or if any other exotic bee pests are present.

Biosecurity Queensland is also undertaking tracing activities to identify the potential source and likelihood of spread.

As a precautionary measure, a movement control order (MCO) is not in place to prevent any potential spread.

These movement restrictions apply to all beekeepers who have hives or have had hives in the areas around port of Brisbane in the last 90 days. These restrictions apply to movement of bees, bee hives, bee products, and used bee keeping equipment.

Queensland Beekeepers Association president Jacob Stevens explained, “The Queensland Beekeepers’ Association Inc is in position and ready to provide meaningful support to our impacted beekeepers in the movement control zones.”

“In recent years we’ve provided our expertise and technical knowledge to Biosecurity Queensland to deliver successful eradications of mites detected in Queensland,” he said.

“Queensland has a history of exotic incursions and the QBA is confident our beekeepers will rise to the challenge acting on our call to action to undertake varroa mite surveillance immediately, reporting all results to Bee 123.”

What Beekeepers Can Do:

All Queensland beekeepers are urged to:

   • continue monitoring hives for varroa mite using the alcohol wash method (at least every 16 weeks)

   • report your hive check using the quick and easy Bee 123 form, even if you do not find any suspect mites

   • immediately report unexpected hive deaths, deformed bees, bees with parasites, poor brood patterns and dead brood to Biosecurity Queensland

   • report sightings of Asian honey bees, feral nests/swarms or hives showing symptoms of exotic pests to Biosecurity Queensland

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