Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) with a Varroa mite (Varroa destructor).
Photo by
Heather Broccard-Bell
Victorian beekeepers are on alert after testing of a north-east Victorian apiary confirmed it had found Varroa mites resistant to pyrethroid miticide treatments, the chemicals most commonly used to keep the parasitic mite in check.
The resistant mites are believed to have arrived in Victoria via hives moved interstate last year and subsequently sold to a local beekeeper.
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Similar resistance to both pyrethroid and formamidine chemicals had already been detected in New South Wales and Queensland earlier this year.
Agriculture Victoria’s Executive Director Biosecurity Charlotte Austin said the find underlines the need for vigilance.
“Beekeepers are urged to regularly monitor mite levels in their hives to check that treatments are working, and rotate miticides with different chemical groups as part of best practice management,” she said.
Further analysis of the north-east Victorian samples is under way, with results expected by the end of the month.
Agriculture Victoria’s two-year Varroa Transition Program has bee biosecurity officers and apiary inspectors on hand to offer practical advice on surveillance, chemical treatment options and treatment planning. Beekeepers who suspect their treatments aren’t performing as expected are encouraged to make contact promptly.
More information is available at Agriculture Victoria’s Varroa Mite situation page at agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-insects-and-mites/priority-pest-insects-and-mites/varroa-mite-of-honey-bees/varroa-mite-current-situation and the Australian Honeybee Industry Council’s website at https://honeybee.org.au/
Varroa mite, which has now been identified in a Victorian beehive, can cause hive destruction and spread bee viruses.
