Varroa mite can weaken beehives as well as spread honey bee viruses.
Agriculture Victoria has urged beekeepers to be vigilant in monitoring for Varroa mite and keep up-to-date with their hive permits.
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A detection of the destructive pest was announced on Thursday, August 24 by the NSW DPI at Euroley in the Riverina and Euston in the Sunraysia region.
A further infestation was found on Friday in hives transported from Kempsey to Nericon in NSW.
The detection was due to expedited surveillance by DPI on all hive movements.
Victoria’s chief plant health officer Rosa Crnov has reassured Victorian apiarists that no Varroa mite has been found in Victoria.
Dr Crnov said Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officers have been on the ground in Sunraysia undertaking targeted surveillance and no Varroa mite had been detected.
“Victoria is committed to the National Response Plan and will be undertaking further surveillance in the region,” Dr Crnov said.
“We are also working closely with NSW to trace beehives and understand their movements.”
The response plan prohibits hives being moved within 25km of an infested beehive including those located in Victoria within NSW’s 25km zone at Euston.
“Agriculture Victoria will make every effort to contact any beekeepers that might be affected by this zone,” Dr Crnov said.
“Beekeepers who think they might be impacted are encouraged to contact us.”
With the almond pollination season just ended, apiarists are planning to move their hives elsewhere to pollinate other fruit and vegetable crops.
Permits are required for anyone bringing bees, hives, queen bees, used beekeeping equipment, pollen for bee feeding and bee products, including honeycomb, into any part of Victoria from interstate.
“It’s crucial for beekeepers to follow the mandatory permit system for apiary movements into Victoria,” Dr Crnov said.
“Permits will not be granted for queens, escorts and queen cells from NSW at this time.
“This system helps protect our state, while enabling essential horticultural pollination activities to continue.”
Varroa mite is a parasite of adult honey bees and bee brood which weakens and kills colonies and transmits bee viruses.
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council Varroa coordinator Bianca Giggins said the council was waiting “with bated breath” to understand the situation further.
“It is concerning the impact this is having on a significant reach across the beekeeping industry,” Mrs Giggins said.
“We encourage all beekeepers to do their alcohol washes and keep AgVic updated on their hive movements.
“We are leaving it in the capable hands of DPI and AgVic, as they are doing a fantastic job. AgVic have always done a fabulous job within their jurisdiction.”
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