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Beekeepers urge access to new biopesticide to combat resistant varroa mite

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Australian beekeepers are facing significant losses due to the varroa mite, which has developed resistance to existing treatments.
  • Researchers have developed a biopesticide that makes mites infertile, offering a new potential tool for control.
  • Beekeepers are urging Australian authorities to approve the new treatment, which could take up to two years to become available.

Ian Cass, a beekeeper in South Australia, watches his hives with concern, identifying the tiny red varroa mite as a significant threat to his livelihood. The mite, responsible for an estimated 90% loss of wild honey bee populations in some Australian areas since its arrival in 2022, has developed resistance to current treatments across multiple states. "We need some more options, we need some more choices to get through this," Cass stated.

We need some more options, we need some more choices to get through this.

— Ian CassIan Cass, a South Australian beekeeper, expresses the urgent need for new treatment options against the varroa mite.

New research from Victoria University of Wellington offers a glimmer of hope. Entomologist Phil Lester and his team have developed a biopesticide that targets the mites' reproductive system, rendering them infertile. "What it does is it's a natural process that's involved in turning off a gene," Professor Lester explained. "This one in particular, this gene works on the reproductive system of the mite, so it doesn't kill the mite … it stops it from laying eggs within the hive."

What it does is it's a natural process that's involved in turning off a gene. This one in particular, this gene works on the reproductive system of the mite, so it doesn't kill the mite … it stops it from laying eggs within the hive.

— Phil LesterProfessor Phil Lester explains the mechanism of the new biopesticide developed by his research team.

This novel approach, which has no documented resistance, could become a crucial part of varroa control in Australia. The biopesticide, named Norroa and commercially produced by U.S. company GreenLight Biosciences Inc., is administered via a sugar wash. While safe for bees and effective in halting mite population growth, it could take up to two years for Australian approval. "The bees themselves live for just as long as they should do, much longer than they do if you don't treat them and just let varroa do its thing, parasitise and kill the bees," Lester added.

The bees themselves live for just as long as they should do, much longer than they do if you don't treat them and just let varroa do its thing, parasitise and kill the bees.

— Phil LesterProfessor Phil Lester reassures that the biopesticide is safe for bees and allows them to live longer compared to untreated infestations.

Cass, who has been following Norroa's progress, sees it as a vital opportunity for Australian beekeepers. "When I saw that I thought, 'Wow, that's an opportunity for us,'" he said. "We need it now." He emphasizes the urgency for Australian implementation to address the ongoing exodus of beekeepers from the industry.

When I saw that I thought, 'Wow, that's an opportunity for us. We need it now.'

— Ian CassIan Cass shares his reaction to the potential of the new biopesticide for Australian beekeepers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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