HONEY BEE & POLLINATION 
58 pages
Published: 27 Feb 2026
Author(s): Michael J. Holmes, Sasha Mikheyev
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DownloadThe Australian honey bee and pollination industry,is facing an unprecedented challenge with the establishment of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in New South Wales (NSW) in September 2023. To address the urgent need for robust, evidence-based management strategies, the Australian Honey Bee & Pollination Industry National Colony Loss Survey was launched in 2025.
To date, two surveys have been conducted. This report presents the findings of these surveys, establishing a critical baseline of colony health and identifying the initial impacts of varroa on the industry.
The Australian honey bee and pollination industry, a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural sector, is facing an unprecedented challenge with the establishment of the parasitic...
This research aimed to contribute to ongoing surveillance of the Australian honey bee virus landscape as varroa establishes and spreads.
The small hive beetle (SHB) (Aethina tumida) poses a serious threat to the Australian honeybee industry, which is valued at $4.6 billion annually for its...
This research investigates the potential use of organic waste as an alternative and sustainable approach to managing Varroa destructor. Current Varroa treatments rely heavily on...
The Australian honey bee industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy through the production of hive products, such as honey and beeswax and...
In all livestock industries, genetic selection has been used to increase animal productivity and, by extension, enterprise profitability. The Australian honey bee industry is no...
Following the arrival of varroa at the Port of Newcastle, AgriFutures Australia commissioned research on how the industry should prepare for the possible establishment of...
The primary objective of the Identifying revenue opportunities for AgriFutures Australia’s rural industries project was to identify potential new and alternate revenue sources within 28...
