This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: For decades, Australia was the last inhabited continent free of the bee-killing Varroa mite (Varroa destructor). That all changed in June 2022, when Varroa was detected near Newcastle and rapidly spread along the coast of eastern Australia.
By September 2023, authorities had abandoned attempts to completely eradicate the tiny parasite. So Varroa is here to stay. For beekeepers across Australia, that means learning to live with the risks of infested hives, lower production and lost income.
So, how are we currently managing Varroa? And what needs to change? The Varroa mite is a tiny parasite that attaches to honeybees and feeds on them, impairing their development, immunity and behavior.
These mites can also carry various bee-killing pathogens. Varroa mites can wipe out entire colonies if left untreated. For this reason, they are considered the foremost threat to managed honeybee colonies worldwide.
Varroa can rapidly spread through human intervention, such as when a person moves infested hives or equipment between two sites. But these mites largely jump between hives through normal bee activities including "drifting," where confused bees enter the wrong hive. "Robbing," where bees from a strong colony plunder a weaker one for resources, is another common way Varroa spreads.
In Australia, authorities have sought to bolster the industry and slow Varroa's spread under a national management program introduced in early 2024. Today, the scale of the problem varies from state to state. Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory now have well-established Varroa populations.
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