9 webinars
INDUSTRY NEWS
The National Varroa Mite Management Program update
10
IT ' S been more than three years since Varroa mite( Varroa destructor) was detected at the Port of Newcastle and state-managed online heat maps show the gradual spread across the country. Varroa mite infests European honeybee colonies in all major beekeeping regions across the world. Australia is now having to learn from these countries in how to best manage Varroa. Following the detection in Australia back in 2022, and after 18 months of unsuccessful eradication efforts, the emergency response was changed to a management plan. Since February 2024 a National Varroa Transition to Management( T2M) plan has been implemented which was developed in partnership with the Australian bee keeping industry, 15 pollination reliant industries, federal, state and territory governments. Each partner has contributed funds towards the T2M activities which aims to slow the spread, while allowing time to learn about managing Varroa in an Australian context and minimising the impact on both the honeybee and pollination-reliant industries. Australian beekeepers are the primary focus of the T2M plan with a formal training program, and one-onone support provided to commercial and recreational beekeepers across Australia. Tailored resources have been developed and are available online providing reliable, current, and consistent information relevant to best practices in an Australian context. These resources were delivered nationally via a coordinated webinar series, and face-to-face training. Over the past 12 months Rebecca Sloan has been employed as the Pollination Industry Coordinator within the National Varroa Mite Management Program. While her position ended last month, she’ s provided an update about what has been done to address the concerns of pollination-dependent industries, their
In A Nutshell- Spring 2025 Vol 26 Issue 3
Varroa Mite Response
National statistics from February 2024- June 2025
8,061 beekeepers attended one of 121 Varroa Mite Management workshops
Online‘ Heat Maps’ live in 5 states to track Varroa spread
VDO’ s undertook 5,676 in-person meetings with beekeepers
Varroa. org. au website launched
Developed online training options & downloadable packages at varroa. org. au
48 Contract Trainers Employed
knowledge gaps and future needs. While Varroa ' s impact on pollination services is still not fully understood, we do know that pollination through wild or feral populations has greatly declined in infested areas and will no longer be a reliable pollination source. With increased management costs impacting beekeeping businesses it is predicted over time there will be a shortfall in the hives needed for pollination services. Preparation is the best tool we have at this point in time, including the development of good relationships between growers and pollination service providers. To help bee keepers make their business a preferred one for pollination services, and help growers know what to look when contracting hives, a Pollination Guide has been developed and quick reference guides on honey bee management
99 % of participants would recommend the National workshops
Training for queen bee breeders in all states completed
9 webinars
hosted by National Varroa Mite Management Program viewed by 4,548
National Benchmarking of bee viruses completed( report due for publishing end Oct 25)
137 e-newsletters regularly delivered to 14,000 beekeeper in-boxes
and spray management, which are designed to be quick-guides without having to go through the whole pollination guide. Two webinars were held during the program that have had a specific pollination focus. Fact sheets have also been developed to assist growers in becoming a preferred grower for pollination services. These can all be found on the National Varroa Mite Management webpage( varroa. org. au) and include:
• European Honeybees and how our actions impact successful pollination
• Beekeeping tips for best pollination outcomes
• Pollination and pollinator friendly plantings.
As part of the National Varroa T2M more than 8,000 beekeepers have participated in formal training programs and more than 20,000