A varroa mite. Photo from ODT files.
Movement controls associated with varroa bee mite are
being revoked tomorrow.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) said today the
infestation in North Canterbury was now beyond the point
where it could be eradicated or contained in a localised
programme.
Since its arrival in New Zealand seven years ago --
reportedly on a queen bee smuggled into the country -- the
varroa mite species has spread rapidly, laying its eggs
inside the brood cells of a beehive, where the mites develop
to maturity by feeding on bee larvae.
Uncontrolled, varroa will usually "kill" a bee colony within
a year -- an expensive loss to beekeepers as well as a major
threat to honey producers and the billion dollar fruit export
industry, which relies on bees for pollinating crops such as
kiwifruit.
MAFBNZ Incursion Manager Richard Norman said 17 beekeeping
operations in Waimakariri and Selwyn Districts had been
confirmed positive for varroa.
"High levels of mites detected in some operations suggest
varroa may have been present for six months which suggests
varroa is established and widespread," he said.
"Tracing has identified more than 150 beekeeping operations
with hives within 5km radiuses of apiary sites belonging to
infested operations. These operations are at risk from local
spread of varroa. The infestation in North Canterbury is now
beyond the point where it can be eradicated or contained in a
localised programme."
Mr Norman said the high densities of hives in the Canterbury
region and the lack of geographical barriers meant there was
little scope for an effective movement control line to
progressively withdraw down the South Island.
"It has been inevitable that varroa would spread from the
Nelson region.
"Movement controls can only attempt to reduce the risk of
human-assisted spread -- they do not address local spread by
bees drifting between hives, robbing, and swarming," he said.
MAFBNZ intends to use some of the remaining funds from the
response to help beekeepers in the South Island adapt to the
newly detected spread of varroa through advice, hive testing
and education workshops.
"We will also discuss with industry and research providers
whether there are immediate, high value research needs that
remaining funds could assist," said Mr Norman.
Varroa remains a notifiable organism and beekeepers in
uninfested areas should report suspect finds of varroa to
MAFBNZ on 0800 80 99 66.
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