Millions of Australian bees are in “lockdown”, and thousands will be decimated after a deadly parasite is detected in the country.
The Veroa destroyer was first found last week at a port near Sydney but has since been sighted in hives 100 km away. The outbreak threatens to cost the honey and food production industries millions.
Keepers inside a new biosecurity zone will be unable to move hives, bees or hives until further notice. Australia was the only continent free of varroa mites, the biggest threat to bees worldwide.
Insects about the size of sesame weaken and kill by feasting on colonies and transmitting viruses. Authorities have launched several biosecurity measures to limit the outbreak after the mite was found at seven sites in New South Wales. Any hive within 10 km of the infected places so far, around 400, will also be destroyed, while colonies within 25 km will be inspected and monitored.
Ian McCall of NSW Farmers says this is key to preventing outbreaks from devastating growers. He says that if the mite continues to spread, it could cost the honey production industry $70 million ($48m, £39m) a year alone.
About a third of Australia’s food production depends on bee pollination, including almonds, apples and avocados. “Bees are an integral part of our production system,” said Mr McCall. “This is not only a concern for the industry but also a major community concern.”
Previous identifications of other types of varroa mites in Queensland and Victoria have been eliminated, and farmers expect the next few days to be crucial in tackling the outbreak.