A new biopesticide could become the next tool for Australian beekeepers battling the deadly varroa destructor mite that is threatening the country's bee industry. Beekeepers say the product could help them overcome a growing resistance to the varroa mite treatments currently available. The hope is that it will give the industry a fresh weapon against a pest that has caused widespread damage to hives.
The varroa mite has become a serious problem for beekeepers, and the situation has worsened with the emergence of resistant strains. Treatment-resistant varroa mites were first detected in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria earlier this year. The outbreak has left the industry hemorrhaging money and people, adding pressure to those who depend on healthy hives for their livelihoods.
Beekeeper Ian Cass has been testing for varroa mite every month since the pest infected some of his hives. He described how the arrival of the mite upended his plans, saying that the safety net beekeepers once relied on is now gone. With pollination season around the corner, he is worried about the months ahead, warning that once hives are brought together at the different almond orchards, the mite is going to spread like wildfire.
New research from New Zealand has identified a biopesticide that could offer a solution to the problem. According to the researchers, the product does not kill the mite directly. Instead, it stops the mite from reproducing, preventing it from laying eggs within the hive, which over time would reduce the pest's ability to spread.
The treatment, an American product known as naroa, is said to target the mite without affecting bee populations. Researchers described it as a really beneficial tool that could be of major use, especially in Australia, where varroa mites have shown resistance to many of the synthetic chemicals currently relied on for their control. That resistance has made the search for alternative treatments increasingly urgent.
The pressure on the sector is significant, with the pest outbreak described as another blow to an industry already under strain. Commercial beekeepers are reported to be looking at quitting within the next twelve months. Of particular concern is that many of those considering leaving are older, more established beekeepers who hold a great deal of experience that would be difficult to replace.
The federal government says it will continue to work with state and territory governments to support Australia's bee biosecurity. For beekeepers on the ground, the message is that they need access to as many options as possible to keep their hives alive. As one put it, they want every tool in their toolbox if they are going to survive the varroa threat.