Two-and-a-half months after varroa destructor was spotted in New South Wales, another unique honey bee insect has actually been discovered in the state for the very first time.
Key points:
- The unique honey bee parasite braula fly has actually been spotted in NSW for the very first time
- It was likewise spotted in Victoria last month throughout varroa mite monitoring in almond pollination hives
- The NSW DPI states it will examine the prohibited motion of hives from Victoria to NSW
Braula fly, endemic in Tasmania and every continent on the planet, was discovered in Victoria throughout varroa mite monitoring of almond hives last month.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has actually now validated a detection of braula fly by means of the prohibited motion of beehives from Victoria to New South Wales.
” NSW DPI has actually worked out the instant return of the hives back to Victoria and is dealing with the owner to guarantee that there is no threat of spread from these hives and NSW is kept devoid of braula fly,” a representative stated.
” Braula is a wingless fly that resides in honey bee nests however is ruled out a substantial bug or danger to the well-being of honey bees.”
It is a notifiable bug in New South Wales, which implies manufacturers need to report any detections to authorities.
NSW Apiarists’ Association president Steve Fuller stated while not a substantial bee risk, the detection of another unique insect was still extremely worrying.
” It’s not a bad bug, like varroa. It’s a bug that really eats honey so it harms honeycomb, so manufacturers of honeycomb or what we call portion comb need to freeze it now prior to they can offer it,” he stated.
” The larvae buries through the comb and makes tunnels. It’s simply a thing that makes it look awful and likewise can bring larvae from one location to the other.
” It’s a wingless fly, it’s a truly distinct fly, so it practically gets on the bees and simply spreads out from hive to hive that method.”
Queen bees targeted
While the little, red-brown braula fly looks really comparable to varroa mite, Mr Fuller stated it was simple to identify when individuals understood the distinction.
” It’s simply a matter of having an excellent take a look at it and you’ll see it’s not varroa, however if you’re unsure it definitely puts the wind in you,” he stated.
The braula fly chooses to connect to the queen, instead of employee or drone bees, which might be a problem for queen breeders offering to braula fly totally free states.
” The most convenient location to discover them is to take a look for the queen, as soon as you discover the queen often she may have half a lots or more on her,” he stated.
” They like to get on her for some factor.
” We have not seen any considerable modification in the queen of her egg laying capability however if you offer queens, that’s another thing that ends up being an issue.”
Mr Fuller stated braula fly had actually currently been eliminated a variety of times from Victoria.
” They’re uncertain how it entered into Victoria this time, now we’re unsure how it’s entered into New South Wales since the hives that have actually come by are expected to have had a tidy costs of health,” he stated.
However, the New South Wales DPI has actually validated the motion of hives was prohibited and will be examined.
Victoria Agriculture has actually been called for remark.
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