Varroa Mite: Deep Dive

You may not have heard of the Varroa Mite (Varroa destructor) but soon you will feel its affects.

With commercial honey prices set to rise significantly in 2023/2024, you might be left wondering why. The answer is the Varroa Mite.

But how can a small mite affect honey prices so significantly? Because of the affect it is having on honey production in Australia and the cost involved in managing this introduced pest. Lets take a deep dive in the Varroa Mite and the impact it has had on the industry.

The Varroa Mite is a tiny parasite that live on European honey bees. Although Varroa mites can feed and live on adult honey bees, they mainly feed and reproduce on larvae and pupae in the developing brood, causing malformation and weakening of honey bees as well as transmitting numerous viruses. Prolonged Varroa mite infestations can intensify gradually over a span of 3–4 years, leading to various detrimental effects on honey bee colonies. These effects include scattered brood, honey bees crawling on the ground, impaired flying capabilities, diminished return rate to the colony after foraging trips, reduced worker bee lifespan, and a significant decline in worker bee weight. These collective symptoms, commonly referred to as parasitic mite syndrome, become apparent through abnormal brood patterns, cappings that appear sunken and chewed, and larvae slumping at the bottom or sides of cells. Ultimately, these infestations cause a decline in the overall honey bee population, resulting in the supersedure of queen bees and, eventually, the breakdown and demise of the entire colony.

In June 2022, Varroa was detected at the Port of Newcastle, NSW, in a Biosecurity surveillance hive. Previously Australia was the only major honey producing country to be Varroa free. In a matter of months, Varroa was being detetected in hives hundreds of kilometres away. NSW Biosecurity implemented an emergency management plan that included stopping all transportation of Hives and bee related equipment in and out of NSW and euthinasation of infested hives to prevent further spread. Surrounding states followed with their own transportation restrictions and new permitting. Fortunately, surrounding states managed to remain Varroa free and the outbreak remains isolated to central and northern NSW.

The impact has been thousands of hives destroyed, and strict restrictions on movement of hives and honey between states. The combined state governments have invested big money in supporting beekeepers affected and the detection and management of Varroa. Unfortunately, 12 months on, the impact has been too great for some businesses and have been forced to close their doors, leaving a shortage of honey in the market. The Federal Honey Levy is about to be increased to fund these protection measures and supports that have been put in place, this increase will ultimately be passed onto the consumer along with producers increasing their wholesale price to cover their own increased costs. This combined with a pending honey shortage will be sure to see the price of honey skyrocket at the supermarket.

Varroa continues to be considered the most devastating parasite of honey bee colonies in existence. Varroa can be eradicated in Australia if we remain vigilant and beekeepers continue to receive government support.