Varroa Bee Mite
| Case Study: | Varroa in Nelson | | Where: | Varroa was found in 2000 and spread throughout the North Island. A localised infestation was discovered in Nelson and surrounding areas in 2006 and has since spread further afield in the South Island. Now known to be in North Canterbury (Sept 2008). | | When: | Originally discovered in 2000 in the North Island
Detected June 2006 in Nelson |
Biosecurity Threat:
- External parasite of honey bees that attacks adults bees and their developing larvae and pupae or brood
- Varroa infestation causes decreased brood, deformed bees, and general weakening of the entire colony
- Spreads quickly by travelling with swarms or migrating drones, and by the movement of infested equipment
- Potentially devastating for crop pollination
- Impacts both apiary and horticulture industries
Field Staff:
- Field Operations Response Team established in Nelson
- HQ controller
- Logistics
- Specialist field teams
- Apiculture officers
- GIS and IRS specialists
- Local beekeeper assistance with ground surveys
- Incursion Response Centre (IRC) in Wallaceville (previously Emergency Disease Response Centre - EDRC)
- Planning and intelligence group
- Apiary database registrars
- Movement control permitting officers
- Tracing group
- Biosecurity New Zealand management and technical staff
- Satellite HQ locations for the response set up in Blenheim, Westport and Takaka - these were managed and resourced out of main Nelson headquarters
Action:
Initial
- Wide area surveillance programme established
- Movement control measures put in place
- Controlled area established in Upper South Island
- Infected zones established in Nelson, Tapawera and Pelorus
Current
- Following further surveillance finds in 2006 the controlled area and movement control restrictions were lifted.
- Apiary tehnical advisory and educational workshops, including distribution of test kits to beekeepers will continue until end of June 2009.
- The programme is scheduled to continue until end of June 2009.
For latest updates on Varroa Mite incursion and response: www.maf.govt.nz or www.varroa.org.nz.
Also see the pests and diseases section of the Biosecurity New Zealand website www.biosecurity.govt.nz.
Inspection and Detection
All South Island beekeepers should routinely inspect their hives for Varroa mite. For details on inspection techniques and identification of Varroa, refer to the book Control Of Varroa, A Guide for New Zealand Beekeepers. For more information about this publication please refer to www.biosecurity.govt.nz or www.varroa.org.nz.
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