John     Dec 22

First detected in South Australia's Riverland region in September, the #varroamite has since been found in numerous sites across the state, including the Limestone Coast, the Adelaide Hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The number of detections has increased in recent weeks.

President of the #Beekeepers Society of SA, Bob Beer, said everyone was on high alert.

"The mite's move into the state has always been a case of not if, but when," he said.

#auspol #apiarist #bees

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-23/beekeepers-on-high-alert-varroa-mite-spreads-sa/106169566

Beekepers on high alert as bee-killing varroa mite spreads in South Australia

The varroa mite may be tiny — only a millimetre or two long — but it poses a huge threat to honey bees, beekeepers and honey producers, who are on high alert after the destructive mite's recent arrival in South Australia. 

ABC News
Der DonautalimkerAug 24, 2025
Die Ameisensäure hat voll eingeschlagen. Kampf gegen die Varroamilbe ist in vollem Gange. 💪 #varroamite #varroa
wyvernsroseJan 30, 2025
'Inevitable' bee-killing varroa mites close to crossing Queensland border: An outbreak of the world's deadliest bee parasite, varroa destructor mite, has been found less than 5 kilometres from the Queensland border — the closest detection to date. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-30/boggabilla-varroa-mite-bee-parasite-queensland-border/104875024?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Varroamite #beekeeping #Pests
Bee-killing varroa mites found 5km south of Queensland border

An outbreak of the world's deadliest bee parasite, varroa destructor mite, has been found less than 5 kilometres from the Queensland border — the closest detection to date.

ABC News
Matt WillemsenJun 29, 2024
The perfect pesticide?
https://www.science.org/content/article/perfect-pesticide-rna-kills-crop-destroying-beetles-unprecedented-accuracy #environment #pesticide #RNAi #VarroaMite
Ken SNov 25, 2023

This is such typical Australian problem:

No private or political interest in funding vital native bee research in Australia.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-11-25/australian-native-bee-research-funding-lacking-researchers-sa/103146584
#AusPol #AusBiz #AgChatOz #Science #Research #Innovation #VarroaMite #Biodiversity #Sustainability #Medicine #Nutrition

Australian native bee researchers say lack of paid jobs hinders further study

Native bee researchers are travelling overseas and interstate to find work despite there being a sizeable knowledge gap about Australia's vast array of species.

ABC News
stuvik (Will)Sep 25, 2023

Random thought/idea:

Per-hive varroa mite laser eradication process.

Have the best go through a narrow tube so they are single file.
Stop the bee under the target zone.
Use optical detection to spot the mite (AI learning?).
Target the mite and use a laser to zap it with zero harm to the bee. Laser should be directable and able to access the bee from all around.
Allow the bee to proceed through the tube to a collection area. Inspect bee for damage.
Once a hive is cleansed, check the empty hive for more mites before reintroducing the bees.

If this sounds similar to cow/sheep dip then you get the idea. Using a laser is pesticide-free.

The design needs to be simple, compact, portable, and open source for cheap and rapid deployment.

#Varroamite #fortheloveofbees

Mojo ♻️Sep 20, 2023

Australia abandons efforts to eradicate deadly #parasite #varroamite after 15 months #bees

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/varroa-mite-eradication-efforts-abandoned-australia/102876418

Australia abandons efforts to eradicate deadly parasite varroa mite after 15 months

Australia has decided it is no longer technically feasible to eradicate varroa mite and will move to management of the pest.

ABC News
MyrmecofourmisSep 14, 2023

Voici ce que l'on sait des traitements à la chaleur contre le varroa:
https://www.myrmecofourmis.fr/Traitement-du-varroa-a-la-chaleur-l-hyperthermie-dans-les-ruches

#abeilles #apiculture #apiculturefrance #varroamite #varroa

Traitement du varroa à la chaleur : l'hyperthermie dans les (...)

Le Varroa destructor est un petit acarien parasite de l'abeille domestique. Les varroas se nourrissent des corps adipeux des larves d'abeilles,

Ken SAug 26, 2023

...

#VarroaMite #Biosecurity https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-25/federal-government-investigates-illegal-import-bees-varroa-mite/102768392

Federal government investigates suspected illegal import of bees as varroa mite spreads

Key information from the NSW Department of Primary Industries has sparked a federal investigation into illegal live bee imports as the state battles 215 infestations of varroa mite.

ABC News
Lisa HayAug 25, 2023

PLEASE WATCH THIS 👁
So little details on MSM
Great piece by #thekangaroocourtofaustralia about how Australian is sleepwalking into ecological disaster #Varroamite #auspol

https://youtu.be/rRrEYJcQWdQ?si=3zS3z3NQqT4OcRxn

Australian Bees continue to be poisoned in a futile attempt to eradicate Varroa mites

YouTube