{"id":367254,"date":"2025-11-25T21:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T11:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=367254"},"modified":"2025-11-26T09:39:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T23:39:41","slug":"varroa-mite-found-in-south-burnett","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/11\/25\/varroa-mite-found-in-south-burnett\/","title":{"rendered":"Varroa Mite Found In South Burnett"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Varroa mite parasite on the back of a honey bee (Photo: USDA-ARS\/Steve Ausmus)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 25, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

The serious honeybee pest, Varroa destructor<\/em>, has been detected in the South Burnett for the first time.<\/p>\n

A Department of Primary Industries spokesperson said the mite was found in the South Burnett Regional Council area in late October.<\/p>\n

Since then there have been seven detections in commercial hives in the region.<\/p>\n

A surveillance map<\/a><\/strong> on the Business Queensland website – which is updated daily – shows detections near Kingaroy, west of Wondai and south of Kilkivan.<\/p>\n

Varroa destructor<\/em> has been spreading in Australia since it was first detected near Newcastle in NSW in June 2022.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On March 3 this year it was confirmed for the first time in Queensland.<\/p>\n

Infestations in the North Burnett were detected in May.<\/p>\n

Varroa mites – which affect both Asian and European honeybees – can build up over time, eventually leading to colony breakdown.<\/p>\n

The DPI spokesperson said the National Management Group announced the transition from eradication to management for varroa mite in 2023, with all States and Territories committing to this approach.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Varroa destructor<\/em> can be spread by individual bees, swarms, nests or hives of bees, apiary appliances, apiary products, on people or personal protective equipment.<\/p>\n

“Biosecurity Queensland provides all registered beekeepers with education and training opportunities on integrated pest management approaches and pathways for support and wellbeing to affected beekeepers,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

“We are working closely with the beekeeping industry to slow the spread.<\/p>\n

“DPI asks all Queensland beekeepers to check their hives monthly and report the results to Bee 123<\/a><\/strong>, even if no mites are found.”<\/p>\n

External links: <\/strong><\/p>\n