Asian honey bees confirmed at Port of Brisbane

News release | 05-Mar-2024

Enhanced biosecurity measures implemented after discovery of a single varroa jacobsoni mite at the Port of Brisbane has led to a confirmed detection of Asian honey bees.

Surveillance also identified multiple European honey bee nests on the site. These are the bees commonly used in honey production in Australia.

Chief Biosecurity Officer Rachel Chay said genetic testing has indicated this is a new exotic incursion of Asian honey bee.

“The good news is that all of the bees collected from the Port of Brisbane surveillance hives have tested negative for exotic bee viruses such as slow bee paralysis virus, deformed wing virus, acute bee paralysis virus and Apis mellifera rhabdovirus,” Dr Chay said.

“Enhanced surveillance is continuing in conjunction with the Queensland bee industry and the Australian Government to determine if there are any more varroa mites in the surrounding area.

“Planning is underway to remove the European honey bee nests, and bee lining (tracking bees to their nest) and other types of surveillance will continue on the Asian honey bees.

"We are continuing surveillance in conjunction with the Queensland bee industry and the Australian Government to determine if there are any more varroa mites in the surrounding area. So far no further mites have been found.”

A movement control order (MCO) issued as a precautionary measure after the mite was detected remains in place to minimise any potential risk of varroa mite spread.

Movement restrictions apply to all beekeepers who have hives in or have had hives in, the surrounding localities to the Port of Brisbane within the last 90 days.

Restrictions apply to the movement of bees, bee hives, bee products (including processed honey) and used bee-keeping equipment.

Dr Chay urged beekeepers to continue monitoring hives for varroa mite, report their hive check results on the Bee 123 form and immediately report any unexpected hive deaths, deformed bees, bees with parasites, poor brood patterns and dead brood to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

Media contact: DAF Media, media@daf.qld.gov.au