Authorities abandon initiatives to eliminate varroa mite infestation.
Australia Abandons Varroa Mite Eradication, Shifts Focus to Management
In a significant shift, the federal government has abandoned its mission to eradicate the varroa mite (Varroa destructor), a parasitic threat to honeybees, due to the parasite's increasing intractability. The National Management Group in charge of the eradication program in Australia is now transitioning into a management phase, initiating the development of a new strategy.
Varroa mites predominantly feed on the fat reserves of honeybee (Apis mellifera) larvae and pupae, depriving them of essential energy. Moreover, they carry viruses posing a substantial risk to bee colonies worldwide. Without proper treatment, these mites can utterly destroy bee colonies.
Up until recently, Australia was one of the few unexploited territories for varroa mites. Though native bees are resistant to these parasites, their viral carriers can potentially harm native populations. Two instances of varroa mites were discovered in Townsville in 2016 and 2019, but successful eradication efforts were accomplished by 2020. This newest outbreak originated in Newcastle in June of last year, resulting in the destruction of approximately 14,000 hives during the ensuing eradication efforts.
"The eradication strategy always carried a significant risk of failure," comments Professor Saul Cunningham, director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University, who was not involved in the management group. He stresses the need for a shift towards adapting life with varroa mites, learning from countries where this parasitic menace has long been a reality. However, he underlines the importance of tailoring solutions to Australia's unique biodiversity, climate, and agricultural landscape.
Dr Emily Remnant, a honeybee geneticist at the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences, anticipates an initial phase of instability as varroa mites establish themselves in Australia. "Over the following years, we will witness substantial colony losses in both managed and feral bee populations as the industry readjusts to coexistence with varroa," Remnant explains.
On a positive note, Australia still remains free from deformed wing virus, a damaging disease spread by mites. This means that initial colony losses may not be as severe as in countries where both threats are prevalent. Remnant emphasizes the importance of constant monitoring of virus prevalence in Australian bees during the varroa mite establishment period to prevent the spread of viral diseases.
Remnant advocates for a unified, sustainable national strategy to manage the parasite, avoiding over-reliance on synthetic chemicals. This approach helps mitigate resistance in varroa populations and maintain bee health.
Dr Mary Whitehouse, a senior research scientist at Macquarie University, concurs. "Utilizing miticides to contain the mites is a viable response, but varroa is highly adept at developing resistance to miticides," Whitehouse notes. "We will need a multi-faceted strategy that encompasses miticides, as well as other methods, ensuring a coordinated approach to controlling these parasites."
Researchers and beekeeping industry stakeholders from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States are collaborating to develop non-chemical control methods effective for Australia. The timing and application of these methods will significantly impact their success in controlling varroa mite infestations.
Experts express concern about the possibility that varroa mites have already gained a foothold in the feral or wild bee population, making eradication of the parasite an extremely challenging task. Dr Kit Prendergast, a native bee ecologist at Curtin University, views the looming varroa mite invasion as a call to prioritize native bee populations. She advocates for increased monitoring of native bee populations and their respective flower hosts, suggesting that native bees' capacity to compensate for declining honeybee populations for crop pollination is uncertain.
Prendergast laments the previous neglect of indigenous bees and calls for their protection, including from feral colonies of honeybees. In light of the challenges posed by varroa mites, it has become crucial to complement honeybee-centric strategies with efforts focused on native bees.
Originally published by Cosmos as Government abandons efforts to eradicate varroa mite.
- In light of the challenge posed by varroa mites, there is a need to expand research and development in health-and-wellness for honeybees and environmental-science to support native bee populations, as the long-term survival of both managed and wild bees becomes crucial for health and wellness, agriculture, and the environment.
- This shift in focus from eradication to management of the varroa mite, a parasitic threat to honeybees, also necessitates a robust science-based understanding of medical-conditions that could affect bees, such as diseases carried by these mites, to ensure proper treatment and the preservation of healthy bee colonies.
