The tiny parasite suddenly threatening Australia's $70m bee industry

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Because of the incestuous nature of varroa, a solitary bee carrying a single mite can lead to a mass outbreak.Once the eggs hatch, the male mates with the females.

"This means immediate loss of income and possibly losing years of hard work with breeding programs." "And when they asked a question, the answer is 'we don't know'. And it's not bureaucrats not doing their job, it's just that they don't know."Prior to Friday's alert, Australia was the only major honey producing country free from varroa mite and if it has the chance to establish here, it could cost the honey industry more than $70 million a year.

Since varroa swarmed NZ, Lorimer has been forced to hire double the number of staff in order to monitor, tend and treat hives."We lost a lot of hives last winter.

 

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