Queensland Beekeepers' Association Inc Pests and Disease

Asian Honey bees detected in southern suburbs of Townsville

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:47:50 GMT

Dear Members,

This is a quick email to our members, clubs, and stakeholders to notify you of a detection of Asian honey bees found in the southern suburbs of Townsville.

Two separate detections have been confirmed in the outer southern suburbs of Townsville.

The bees have been genetically tested and results confirm the detection is linked to the endemic population in Cairns.

Laboratory testing has found no evidence of varroa mite or exotic bee viruses.

Biosecurity Queensland have issued a E-Alert to beekeepers subscribed to their e-alerts system.

To read the E-alert, please click here.

We strongly urge all beekeepers to subscribe to the E-alert email system, which continues to be the main source of information from Biosecurity Queensland.

To subscribe to the e-alert system please click here.

The QBA continue to provide Industry Liaison Officers to Biosecurity Queensland to support the response to the detection of Asian honey bees and Varroa jacobsoni at the Port of Brisbane, and the latest detection of Asian honey bees in Townsville (linked to the FNQ endemic population).

The QBA express our sincere appreciation to the vigilant Townsville beekeeper who notified Biosecurity Queensland of the suspect bees.

All the best,

Jo Martin.

Varroa mite detection in the Port of Brisbane - V.jacobsoni

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:42:27 GMT

Dear Members,

The QBA is writing to our members and our affiliate clubs to inform you of the detection of a suspect mite in the Port of Brisbane.

At this early stage preliminary testing has indicated that this mite is Varroa jacobsoni.

A movement control order has been issued and is effective immediately. Please click on the link below to read the movement control order.

Click here to read the Movement Control Order

I have also established an independent website page within our membership portal that provides beekeeper impacted in the zone with immediate direction. The new sub-page can be found by clicking on the link below.

Port of Brisbane Incursion

At this stage, the executive actively encourage all members of the QBA and our associate clubs to initiate varroa mite surveillance at their earliest opportunity and report all results to the Bee 123 portal.

Our ILO's are already in place in the Port and in the Incident Control centre. Please stay tuned for the next update.

All the best,

Jo Martin

QBA State Secretary

Detection of Apis florea (Red dwarf honey bee) in Karratha WA

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 23:24:49 GMT

Dear Members,

The West Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has issued a biosecurity alert giving notice of a detection of Red dwarf honey bees (Apis florea) at a Gas plant in Karratha WA.

We encourage you to read the media release by clicking on the button below and familiarise yourself with the Biosecurity Alert collateral issued in response to the detection.

DPIRD Media Release: Report sightings of Red dwarf honey bees

Red dwarf honey bee biosecurity alert.pdf

Please ensure you report all suspect biosecurity matters to the relevant jurisdiction. In Queensland, please call DAF 13 25 23.

All the best,

Jo Martin

Detection of Varroa Destructor - Newcastle NSW.

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:30:00 GMT

Earlier today the QBA received notice that a detection of Varroa destructor had been made in the Port of Newcastle.

We ask that all members and clubs re-circulate this email as a matter of priority.

AHBIC will manage all media enquires in relation to this matter.

If any members of the QBA, our affiliate clubs receive a request for media interviews. Please forward all requests to AHBIC via the AHBIC email address: ahbic@honeybee.org.au or call 0402 467 780.

Please find the media release from AHBIC and the NSW DPI below.

Any QBA members wishing to add their name to the state response team are asked to email their full name, contact number, and email address to statesecretary@qbabees.org.au

The QBA have been in constant contact with DAF and will continue to liaise closely with the Ministers office and key people in the Queensland department in relation to this critical matter.

Further information to come.

Kind regards,

Jo Martin

QBA State Secretary

Urgent - Varroa destructor detected in the Port of Newcastle - 22/06/2022

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:00:00 GMT

A detection of Varroa destructor was identified by authorities on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle. Please find information from AHBIC in the attachment below relating to the detection.

AHBIC incursion information - 24-06-2022.pdf

Apis florea in Port Melbourne

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 11:42:39 GMT

AHBIC has been advised by the Office of the Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer that a nest of Apis florea, the dwarf honey bee, was found on the underside of a vehicle on 6 April 2022 that was shipped from Thailand. They have been destroyed and a queen bee along with 120 workers were on the nest. There were no eggs, larvae or brood. The vehicle was at an Approved Arrangement Site in Port Melbourne.

Click on the link below to read the full statement from AHBIC.

Apis_florea_in_Melbourne_March_April_2022_V2.docx_002_.pdf

'Australia regains freedom from bee pest'

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:53:08 GMT

Media release from Hon David Littleproud MP, Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, Australia has been declared officially free from the bee parasite, Varroa jacobsoni, following its successful eradication from Townsville, Queensland.

Click here to read the media release.

Proof of Freedom Declaration - Townsville

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:00:00 GMT

It gives us great confidence to advise the National Varroa Mite Eradication Program operational through out 2020/21 has successfully eradicated varroa mite from the Port of Townsville and surrounding area.

QBA State Secretary Jo Martin and Minister Mark Furner collaborated a media release to signify the formal declaration of proof of freedom from this most recent biosecurity detection and threat to the Australian beekeeping industry and those industry's dependent on strong healthy honey bees for pollination.

The QBA would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in this successful program. Through dedication and absolute professionalism, the team must be congratulated for their efforts.

We encourage our members to read the following media release.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92920

'Outbreak of Varroa mite eradicated from Queensland'

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 20:00:00 GMT

The Proof of Freedom from the recent detection of Varroa mite located on a nest of Apis cerana (Asian Honey bee) in the Port of Townsville has been declared. The following is a joint media statement from Hon Minister Mark Furner and QBA State Secretary Jo Martin.

Click here to read the media release

Varroa mite Detection - Port of Townsville

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 02:01:04 GMT

Varroa mites in Townsville

Our officers are responding to another incursion of varroa mites (Varroa jacobsoni) found at the Port of Townsville on April 28 2020.The tiny mites were brought here on a nest of Asian honey bees.

Early detection is vital. If you live in the Townsville area and see bees, and suspect they may be Asian honey bees, please contact us immediately so they can be checked for mites on 13 25 23. Asian honey bees are smaller and shinier than our European honey bees, with more even stripes down the length of the body.

For more information relating to reporting exotic pests and disease please visit the following links:

Asian Honey bees: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/pests/invasive-animals/restricted/asian-honey-bees

Varroa Mite: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/pests/invasive-animals/prohibited/varroa-mite

REPORT ALL DETECTIONS OF EXOTIC PESTS AND DISEASE HERE:

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/contact/report-a-biosecurity-pest-or-disease?form=bee_sightings-1553074

Apis cerana - Extension to the Known Infested Area.

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 01:54:00 GMT

Please use the following link to access the current Apis cerana KIA map dated 06/01/2020.

Apis cerana KIA - 20200106 Current Known infested area.pdf

National Varroa Mite Eradication Program update

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 10:30:53 GMT

Dear Members,

Please see a recent update from Biosecurity Queensland on the National Varroa Mite Eradication Program below.

Nov 8 Media Release Biosecurity QLD.pdf

Many thanks,

Jo Martin

QBA State Secretary

Qld Bee Biosecurity Officer Announcement

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 10:33:29 GMT

Dear Members,

Please see the official announcement made earlier today about our new Bee Biosecurity Officer in Queensland.

QLD Bee Biosecurity Officer Appointment.pdf

Many thanks,

Jo Martin

QBA State Secretary

Townsville Varroa Mite - Area of interest Map - Update 2

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 04:01:46 GMT

Dear Members,

Please find the Townsville Varroa Mite area of interest map that was provided to the QBA earlier today. If you would like to download a copy of this map please use the following link: Varroa-Mite-Area-of-Interest-map.pdf

VARROA Jacobsoni - Townsville detection update 1

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 06:44:09 GMT

Please see the link below for a statement from our national body AHBIC relating to the detection of Apis cerana and Varroa Jacobsoni found in the Port of Townsville May 2019.

Varroa jacobsoni - Update on 2019 Townsville detection.pdf