TIA Study Examines Potential Impact of Varroa Mite on Tasmanian Crop Pollination

A study by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) has examined how the Varroa mite could affect crop pollination in Tasmania if the pest becomes established in the state.

The research was prompted by the spread of the Varroa mite on mainland Australia, where it has caused major losses in European honey bee colonies.

The study found that many Tasmanian crops rely partly on feral honey bees for pollination. While managed hives can be monitored and treated by beekeepers, feral colonies are far more vulnerable to Varroa. International experience suggests the mite can reduce feral honey bee populations by more than 90 per cent within several years of becoming established, potentially reducing pollination services that support Tasmania’s fruit, berry, and seed crops.

TIA entomologist Dr Jonathan Finch said the findings help identify where background pollination is likely to play an important role.

“Managed and feral honey bees cannot be distinguished by eye in the field, so directly measuring the contribution of feral bees is difficult,” he said.

“By comparing grower-reported hive use with published benchmark rates, we can identify crops where managed hive use appears lower than expected. That does not prove all the remaining pollination is coming from feral honey bees, but it does indicate where background pollination services may be important.”

TIA researchers are encouraging growers who rely on managed hives to discuss Varroa preparedness with their beekeepers. Topics include monitoring and treatment plans, hive strength, future hive availability, and the potential cost of pollination services.

“The message is that growers should understand how much they currently rely on managed hives versus background pollination, and plan ahead for a future in which feral honey bees may be less abundant and managed hives may become more expensive or harder to source,” Dr Finch said.

The research also informed Tasmania’s Varroa planning process. TIA researchers, including Dr Finch, contributed to consultation on the Tasmanian Varroa Mite Action Plan 2024-2034, arguing that preparation for a possible establishment scenario should begin before the mite is detected.

Callum J. Jones studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania and lived in Western Sydney from 2022 to 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial planners. He has written for Tasmanian Times since 2018 and has also been published in a range of other outlets, including Quadrant and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies.

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