Summary

THE REPORT OF THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE AGENCY MANAGING THE NATIONAL BEE PEST SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM, PLANT HEALTH AUSTRALIA

The project will estimate the relative likelihood of establishment of pest bees and/or bee pests at Australian ports based on the best available information. We will do this by combining likelihood of entry with likelihood of establishment. To estimate likelihood of entry, we will analyse shipping records and combine with available interception data. We will develop a species distribution model for A. mellifera and A. cerana to underpin estimates of likelihood of establishment across Australia’s ports.
This project directly links with other research conducted on this topic, including the recently completed ABARES report ‘A benefit-cost framework for responding to an incursion of Varroa destructor’.

The final report will be provided to Plant Health Australia for official use only, as the Manager of the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program.

Program

Honey Bee

Research Organisation

CSIRO

Objective Summary

1. Collate relevant information for a risk assessment of ports for surveillance for bee pest and pest bees.
2. Undertake risk assessment employing existing models where appropriate.