Bee farmers alerted on Varroa Mite infestation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is alerting Bee farmers to be vigilant against a widespread incursion of the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), a serious threat to honey bee colonies globally now confirm detected in Honiara.

First detected in North Carolina in 1990, this external parasitic mite is one of the most destructive pests affecting honey bees, and a significant infestation can lead to the collapse of entire colonies.

Dr. Cooper, a bee expert from Southern Cross University in Australia, along with MAL Livestock officers, conducted soap wash tests following reports by Honiara bee farmers between May and June 2023, after beekeepers noted a decline in both bee populations and honey production, raising concerns about the health of their hives.

The tests confirmed the presence of the Varroa mite in apiaries around Honiara indicating widespread infestation that requires immediate attention.