Beekeepers in Australia are facing a dire threat from the varroa destructor mite, a tiny yet devastating pest that has been wreaking havoc on their livelihoods. The mite, which arrived in Australia in 2022, has already caused an estimated 90% loss of wild honey bee populations in some regions. This has sparked a desperate plea for new solutions, as traditional treatments are becoming increasingly ineffective due to growing resistance.
Ian Cass, a South Australian beekeeper, is among those fearing for their future. He highlights the urgency of the situation, stating, 'We need some more options, we need some more choices to get through this.' The varroa mite's relentless spread has led to a crisis in the beekeeping industry, with a staggering 32.2% of respondents in a 2026 survey planning to leave the industry, citing the mite as the primary reason.
The situation is particularly dire in South Australia, where the mite was first detected in September. However, a glimmer of hope emerges from New Zealand, where researchers have developed a biopesticide called Norroa. This innovative solution employs double-stranded RNA to silence reproductive genes in the mites, rendering them infertile without harming the bees. Professor Phil Lester, part of the research team, emphasizes the potential of this approach, stating, 'What this sort of product does is allow a different approach... that could be a key part of the toolkit for varroa control in Australia.'
Norroa, produced by the US company GreenLight Biosciences Inc., has shown promising results in the US, where it has been used commercially. Beekeepers like Cass are eagerly awaiting its introduction in Australia, hoping it will provide the much-needed respite from the varroa mite's relentless onslaught. However, the process of making Norroa available in Australia could take up to two years, a delay that beekeepers are desperate to avoid.
Despite the urgency, the Australian government's response has been cautious. The Department of Primary Industries advises beekeepers to continue using existing treatments, which include synthetic pyrethroid- and formamidines-based acaricides. While these treatments remain effective against susceptible populations, the department acknowledges the growing resistance and encourages beekeepers to report suspected cases.
The call for Norroa's immediate implementation highlights the dire need for new strategies in the battle against the varroa mite. With the industry on the brink of collapse, beekeepers are pleading for investment and support to safeguard their livelihoods and the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.
