Varroa destructor: IPM for tropical Australian beekeepers

Wednesday 22^nd June 2022 will be remembered by beekeepers around Australia. Varroa destructor, the most destructive pest of European honeybees around the world, was found in New South Wales. The Australian beekeeping industry is now undergoing transformational change on what it means to be a beekeeper and how to go about keeping bees. This report is aimed at tropical climate recreational and small commercial beekeepers experienced in beekeeping but with minimal to no experience in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or management of Varroa mite. It will also be of interest to beekeepers on a larger scale, in temperate climates, or with previous experience seeking more knowledge of biotechnical mite management methods.

Part one introduces IPM and appropriate goal setting. Key stakeholders who need to be considered in a successful Varroa management plan are introduced. The Australian honey and pollination industries cover a wide range of beekeeping goals and methods. Biology of Apis mellifera, Varroa destructor, viruses and other pathogens vectored by Varroa must be considered. Potential impacts of other pests both endemic in Australia (such as Small Hive Beetle) and threatening our borders (such as Tropi mite) need to be included in an effective long term management plan.

Part two guides beekeepers through a Varroa mite Integrated Pest Management framework to successfully unite these stakeholders. The IPM Broodcomb is based on the IPM triangle commonly used for pest management in other agricultural industries. It has five steps designed for beekeepers who may be unfamiliar with IPM concepts and strategies. The plan includes Varroa resistant queens, hive husbandry, mite threshold monitoring, breaking the mite reproductive cycle (with a focus on chemical free biotechnical methods) and removing phoretic mites. Each section includes current research, case studies and practical applications.

Part three describes the difference between Varroa management over the short, medium and long term future. The initial invasion period will see a die off in the huge number of feral hives in Australia. This period could take years and will see massive fluctuations in mite reinvasion numbers over short periods of time. The Varroa management plan during this phase may be very different from the long term plan that a beekeeper would be willing to pass on to the next generation of beekeepers.

Recommended actions which could assist the Australian Beekeeping industry manage Varroa destructor include increased funding for mite resistant queen breeding programs, improved mite monitoring methods, education for beekeepers on biotechnical methods, and marketing training for beekeepers facing increased management costs and potential lower consumer confidence.

World class biosecurity practices which excluded Varroa for so many decades are now reaping benefits for Australia. Beekeeping industries around the world successfully operate while managing Varroa. This provides Australian beekeepers with extensive research and practical learnings from a range of climates. The ability of the Australian beekeeping industry to adapt and thrive in the world’s most variable farming climate shows that Australian beekeepers are up to the task.