Varroa Surveillance

Honeybees are essential for pollinating many of our food crops, with 30% of our food dependent on their pollination. In Australia, the honeybee population is severely threatened by Varroa mites, which could devastate feral bees and disrupt commercial beekeeping, costing the economy billions. Traditional visual inspections for Varroa mites have been inaccurate, missing infestations for over a year. ANU has developed a molecular assay targeting Varroa RNA and protein, allowing for more accurate detection without visual checks. This method reduces labour costs, enables field detection, and is crucial for monitoring hard-to-reach feral bee populations, improving Varroa management in Australia.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Sugandhika Mehta at sugandhika.mehta@anu.edu.au.