The Australian Colony Loss Survey

Summary

The Australian Colony Loss Survey, established in 2025, provides empirical data to support Australian beekeepers to make informed business decisions, particularly regarding the management of honey bee pests and diseases. The results of the survey are used to facilitate national extension efforts and peer-to-peer learning and knowledge transfer from beekeeper to beekeeper. The survey provides a baseline for colony health and management practices, allowing beekeepers to benchmark their own operations and help them to adopt best practice management. Through fit for purpose extension materials, and clarity in messaging for specific target audiences (e.g. commercial beekeepers), this project will demonstrate what impact pests, diseases and management practices are having on hive health, and what mitigation techniques are working for beekeepers.

The inaugural 2024-25 Australian Colony Loss Surveys have quantified, for the first time, the significant impacts small hive beetle and varroa are having on hives on the east coast whilst providing baseline data around colony losses in the absence of both pests. The survey results will also seek to understand what varroa treatments are being used and on what rotation, further guiding extension activities and research. This data provides valuable insights into the cost of established pests to industry and provides an early warning for potential resistance.

The Project Team will build on previous surveys to further refine the questions to provide invaluable longitudinal data allowing industry and researchers to track and identify emerging threats and trends.

Program

Honey Bee

Research Organisation

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council

Objective Summary

• Deliver annual survey of beekeepers assessing the impacts of pests and diseases and hive health
• Provide increased industry data to help guide industry decision making and provide peer to peer learning
• Develop extension materials to increase industry capability through shared learning outcomes as a result of the survey