Support needed for Australian beekeepers facing Varroa mite challenges.

For decades, Australia was the only inhabited continent free from the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), but this changed in June 2022 when the mite was found near Newcastle and quickly spread along the eastern coast. By September 2023, efforts to eradicate the parasite were abandoned, meaning beekeepers must now adapt to the presence of Varroa, which threatens hive health, production, and income.

The Varroa mite is a small parasite that attaches to honeybees, feeding on them and compromising their development and immunity. It can also transmit harmful pathogens, leading to the potential collapse of entire colonies. Varroa spreads primarily through bee activities like drifting and robbing, as well as human actions such as moving infested hives.