RESEARCH & EVENTS
Keeping honey bees healthy for almond production
AS the most efficient and effective pollinator of almond flowers , European honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) are essential to Australia ’ s almond industry . The 2021 final report for the Australian Pollination Services Statistics project found more than 59,000 hectares of almonds trees throughout Australia was estimated to require over 330,000 honey bee hives for pollination . However , the movement of hives , combined with the natural drifting and robbing behaviour of honey bees , means that bee pests and diseases can be difficult to contain . The Bee Biosecurity Code of Practice is a key component of the ABA ’ s Honey Bee Best Management Practices for Australian Almonds . “ It ’ s important for growers to ensure their beekeepers manage for biosecurity risks in line with the codes of practice to ensure the health of honey bees during pollination ,” said Sarah Hilton , Plant Health Australia ’ s Manager , Bee Biosecurity . “ A healthy beekeeping industry supports pollination-reliant industries , as well as the wider community who benefits from honey bee products and services .” The almond industry , represented by the Almond Board of Australia , continues to partner with the honey bee industry to build a strong biosecurity system through their investment in the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program ( NBPSP ). The surveillance program is funded by Hort Innovation using research and development levies of 14 horticultural industries , with significant co-investment from states and territories and contributions from the Australian Honey Bee Industry Levies , Grain Industry Levies , and the Australian Government . The NBPSP is coordinated by Plant Health Australia ( PHA ) and delivered by states and the Northern Territory government .
Early warning system The surveillance program uses a variety of surveillance methods to identify potential threats at high-risk Australian seaports and airports — the most likely entry points for exotic honey bee pests and pest bees . Additional surveillance at other ports is provided through in-kind contributions by state and territory governments . “ Busy shipping ports , like the Port
More than 4,080 surveillance activities were conducted by the NBPSP in 2023 .
of Melbourne , are challenging environments to host live hives , but it ’ s critical we detect any incursions of exotic bee pests or diseases early ,” said Adam Maxwell , Leading Biosecurity Officer-Apiary , Agriculture Victoria . “ Cooperation with key port-based stakeholders is vital to the success of the program ." Increased surveillance efforts continue to target varroa mite species in addition to eight other exotic bee pests and pest bees . These efforts are crucial as these bees and pests have the potential to bring with them exotic diseases , such as deformed wing virus , which could enter with new varroa mite introductions . Deformed wing virus can cause abnormal bee development , such as twisted wings and bloated abdomens , impacting bees ’ productivity and their ability to perform important roles within a colony . “ Safeguarding honey bees from high-impact biosecurity threats continues to give us the best chance of maintaining the supply of healthy pollinators for plant industries ,” said Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen , PHA ' s General Manager , Partnerships and Innovation .
Fit-for-purpose surveillance methods Various tactics employed by the program are tailored to different port locations and include monitoring sentinel hives for pests and diseases , catchboxes to capture swarms , rainbow bee-eater pellet analysis for exotic bee detection , aerial pheromone ballooning to find new species of bees , and nets to capture foraging bees near ports . In 2023 , over 4,000 surveillance activities targeted exotic bee pests and bees . “ Methods used at each port location are fit-for-purpose , drawing on past experiences to enhance the effectiveness of surveillance activities ,” said Sarah Hilton . Years of surveillance efforts under the NBPSP have proven successful with two significant detections in sentinel hives . In June 2022 , Varroa destructor was detected via sentinel hives in Newcastle , New South Wales , and in February 2024 , a single Varroa jacobsoni mite was detected in a sentinel hive at the Port of Brisbane , Queensland and later determined to be associated with a new incursion of Asian Honey Bee .
Taking action Almond growers are urged to continue to work with their beekeepers to ensure Biosecurity Codes of Practice are followed and report any unusual plant or bee pests and diseases through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline ( 1800 084 881 ). Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication . Visit the PHA Website for more information on the NBPSP and a range of bee resources . The Almond Board of Australia also offers useful resources for growers and beekeepers to understand responsibilities and best management practices during pollination .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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