What can residents of South Australia do to help bring bees closer? Just earlier this month, the Varroa mite—one of the biggest threats to European honey bee populations—was found in the region for the first time. The finding was made during a routine beehive consignment surveillance inspection in the Riverland region. This shocking turn of events means that South Australia is now the fifth state or territory in Australia to confirm an incursion of Varroa mite. This invasive pest is one of the most serious threats to managed and feral bee populations.
The Varroa mite is widely recognized as the most serious pest of honey bees. If it gets into the feral bee population, it might kill off 95 percent of the species. This reality has disastrous consequences for biodiversity. It further threatens agricultural production because bees are crucial to pollinating almost 1/3 of the food we consume globally. In Australia, more than 65% of agricultural production relies on insect pollination, mainly from the services of EHB.
Understanding the Varroa Mite Threat
The Varroa mite has been a scourge for other countries for many years. Now, its recent introduction to South Australia has raised concerns with local beekeepers. Kerry Chambers, a local beekeeper, emphasizes the importance of vigilance in managing hives to mitigate risks associated with this pest.
“It has been around in other countries for quite a while, and we have not seen the extinction of honey bees globally,” – Kerry Chambers.
Chambers performs routine alcohol washes on her hives to make sure they aren’t susceptible to the mite. She encourages amateur apiarists to register as beekeepers with the State Government’s Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). Besides that, she pushes them to educate themselves on the best practices for running a happy, healthy hive.
If Varroa mite ever gets into our wild bee populations, experts predict it will be catastrophic. Protecting the biodiversity of our native bee species is becoming a challenge. In fact, these bees are incapable of hosting Varroa mites, or so says the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency.
The Importance of Native Bees
European honey bees fight a losing battle against the onslaught of the Varroa mite. At the same time we need to acknowledge just how important all native bees are to Australia. Kit Prendergast, an expert on native bee species, notes that there are over 1,700 described native bee species, with estimates suggesting at least 500 more that have yet to be identified.
“The biodiversity of Australian native bees is incredible, and there is so much more still to be discovered,” – Kit Prendergast.
Prendergast notes that planting native agricultural crops is one way we can draw in these essential pollinators and work to strengthen their declining populations. He argues that when flowering plants are selected properly, they can really help attract native bees to our residential yards.
“If they’re designed correctly, they can definitely attract [native bees] to your yard,” – Kit Prendergast.
Additionally, Tim Field, another expert in the field, suggests that having plants that flower throughout the year is essential for maintaining a healthy bee population.
“Having things that flower throughout the year is a really good thing to have so you keep them coming back and keep them happy,” – Tim Field.
Community Action Needed
With the growing alarm over the disappearance of bees, communities taking action is more important than ever. There are many ways that residents can make a real difference for European honey bees and native bees alike. They can create gardens teeming with beautiful, drought-tolerant native gems like emu bushes and eremophilas. These species are beautifully adapted to Australia’s harsher, drier conditions and can provide an abundance of resources for pollinators.
Prendergast is calling on all Australians to pay attention to this disturbing trend of native bee populations plummeting. This decline is a result of years of under-research and public ignorance. He’s passionate about creating spaces that welcome bees, which is imperative to ensuring the survival of these important species.
“There are over 1,700 described native bee species, but we estimate that there’s at least 500 undescribed,” – Kit Prendergast.
Residents are asked to reach out to local beekeepers if they see swarms. Commercial beekeepers are constantly monitoring their hives. They can more efficiently and safely convert swarms into managed colonies, offering stronger protection against pests, such as the invasive varroa mite.
“For anyone who sees a swarm, just contact your local beekeeper,” – an anonymous source.
