The bee-killing varroa mite has been present in inland NSW, lots of of kilometres from the place it was first detected within the state.
The detection at Gumble, west of Molong, was linked to the authorized motion of hives from the northern outskirts of Sydney which have since been subjected to a destruction order.
But the Department of Primary Industries has reassured producers that its operation – resembling contact tracing for COVID-19 – is working.
“Whilst the discovery of a new mite location is disappointing, it provides further confidence that our tracing and surveillance strategies are working,” deputy incident controller Shannon Mulholland mentioned on Friday.
“Only one mite has been discovered at Gumble and this low mite count suggests we’ve detected the movement early, and the fact it was a recent legal movement gives us some confidence we can control this spread quickly.”
Tracing is ongoing to establish potential contact with different hives.
Many of NSW’s 13,000 beekeepers have been carefully watching their hives because the lethal mite was first detected close to the Port of Newcastle in June 2022.
More than 14,000 hives have been destroyed within the first 4 months of the outbreak as authorities tried to halt the unfold of the parasite.
Varroa mite has the potential to decimate the beekeeping trade and hit different pollination-dependent sectors, akin to horticulture.
The mite was found in March straight north of Sydney, at Mooney Mooney, resulting in a 10km eradication zone.
The hive in Gumble was moved from Sackville North, west of Mooney Mooney, earlier than the mite was detected in close by Glenorie in late June.
Beekeepers should report all hives in an eradication zone, even when they’re solely being moved by way of the zone.
All registered beekeepers should additionally conduct an alcohol wash of their hives each 16 weeks to assist detect the Varroa mite.
The parasite just isn’t solely affecting NSW trade.
Difficulties with pollination pushed by the varroa mite outbreak and a moist end to 2022 is anticipated to blunt almond yields in Victoria and South Australia.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
