The potential impacts of varroa mite on Australia are being realised as a feral bee die-off is predicted, potentially leading to increased production costs for farmers who relied on them for pollination.

Key points:

  • A New Zealand researcher says varroa mite caused feral bees to die-off within two seasons
  • An infestation of 9,000 varroa mites has been detected in a Central Coast feral bee swarm
  • Swarms are being caught to help amateur beekeepers restock
  • @Bye
    2•1 year ago

    Is it just European honeybees? Let them die, they displace native pollinators, which are generally more efficient on native flora.

    • @[email protected]OPEnglish
      3•1 year ago

      I wonder, though, will the native pollinator populations rebound fast enough to be able to pick up the slack for native flora?