  |  |
|
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
              |
 |
 Exotics Small Hive Beetle found in Australia The small hive beetle (SHB) (Aethina tumida) has been found in New South Wales and in Queensland. These pests are primarily found in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. In the absence of honeybees, the small hive beetle can live in bumble bee nests, and possibly the nests of other social bees, and in some types of fruit. The SHB can destroy honey bee colonies, both larval and adult forms of the pest eat honey bee brood. The larval stages tunnel in the honey and cause extensive damage, rendering the honey useless for bees and also for human consumption. SHB are believed to be mainly spread by the movement of bees and beehives by beekeepers. SHB adults are strong flyers and can also spread between bee hives by free flight. The larval stage can be carried in comb honey. The SHB can also be spread by soil (it pupates in the soil) and rotting fruit (it can complete its lifecycle on fruit). SHB adults can survive about five days without food. Thus it may be possible for this pest to be introduced to New Zealand as free-flying “hitch-hikers” in air cargo, although the chances of adult beetles surviving transport by sea appears relatively low. The route of introduction of the SHB to Australia is unknown at this point. Australian beekeepers have suggested that the site where the pest was first found (Richmond) is near to a Royal Australian Air Force base. Richmaond was also used for storing shipping containers associated with the Olympic Games. The SHB is endemic in southern Africa, where is a significant pest of stored honey boxes, but does not normally cause problems in strong bee colonies. The first reports of SHB killing large numbers of bee colonies came from the United States, where SHB was first detected in Florida in 1998. In Florida, some beekeepers consider SHB to be just as serious a pest as varroa. Because the types of bees in Australia and New Zealand are similar to those found in the US, it is likely that the impact of SHB here would be more similar to that in the US rather than Africa. SHB adults are dark brown-black, about 5mm long and move very quickly when exposed to light. They are found in the dark areas of the hive and on the debris on the hive floor. They can be difficult to detect. SHB was first detected near Richmond, NSW in late October 2002. At the time of writing 61 infested apiaries and seven feral colonies have been detected.. Four restricted zones are in place. A second area of infestation is present in South –East Queensland, following the movement of two apiaries there from the Richmond area in April 2002. At the time of writing, five apiaries in Queensland have been reported as infested with SHB. A decision on control or eradication has yet to be made by Australia's Consultative Committee on Exotic Animal Diseases. New Zealand MAF is investigating the risk the discovery of this pest in Australia poses to New Zealand. The primary means of transmission; honey bees, hive products and used beekeeping equipment, are already prohibited from entering New Zealand. As the SHB is only found in soil immediately adjacent to bee hives, transmission by soil is considered unlikely in the short term, when SHB distribution is very limited. The risk of introduction of SHB in rotting fruit is considered to be adequately covered by current border systems but MAF is seeking more information on the risk of infested fruit from Australia. Helen Beban Honey bee genetic material import risk analysis and Import health standard for honey bee semen from Germany: notification to beekeeping industry MAF is conducting an import risk analysis for honey bee (Apis mellifera) genetic material. Four forms of genetic material are considered:
The honey bee genetic material risk analysis has undergone a process of internal review within MAF and scrutiny by international experts. This international review has led to changes being made to the draft document and delayed the development of the risk analysis. The risk analysis will now be available for public consultation from 13 December until 24 January 2003. Also available for public consultation will be a draft import health standard for import of honey bee semen from Germany. Honey bee semen poses substantially less biosecurity risk than importation of other forms of honey bee genetic material. Providing MAF receives no objections to this import health standard (or to the relevant sections of the import risk analysis), this draft import health standard can be issued. If objections are raised, these will be considered before the import health standard is issued. The documents can be found on the MAF web site under consultation documents. www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/consultation.htm from 13 December. This is the opportunity for those involved in the honey bee industry to have their say. The risk analysis will dictate what forms (if any) of honey bee genetic material are allowed into New Zealand and what measures must be put in place to allow importation. It has the potential to affect all in the beekeeping industry. The consultation document will be posted to the MAF web site and notification will be sent to NBA regional branch secretaries. Helen Beban
Dear Helen The news below about small hive beetle find in Australia is a real concern to the National Beekeepers Association. It's a bit close for comfort! We (NBA) hope that MAF factors this find into your deliberations regarding the importation of bees and hive products. This serious pest must not be allowed into NZ and any change to import regulations must take into account the significant risk Australia now poses to NZ's beekeeping.Regards
Dear Beekeepers Many of you will be aware of Aethina tumida (small hive beetle or SHB), which has emerged as a significant pest on honey bees in the US since being detected in Florida in 1998. The beetle originates from Southern Africa, where it is found in association with honey bees but is not viewed as a significant pest. There is a good summary of known information about SHB in the September issue of "New Zealand Beekeeper". The following press release from the Queensland Minister of Agriculture indicates that SHB was detected in Australia earlier this week. Following our own experiences with varroa, I am sure New Zealand beekeepers extend their best wishes to our Australian colleagues in dealing with this significant incursion. NZ MAF is in contact with the relevant Australian authorities, and if appropriate will review our risk management measures for SHB in light of any new information that emerges from Australia. A delimiting survey and tracing of hive movements from the infested area are underway. The infestation is known to have been in place for at least six months, and possibly significantly longer. The origin of the infestation or source of the infestation are not yet known. regards Paul Bolger Primary Industries & Rural Communities The Hon. Henry Palaszczuk MP 31 October 2002 Honey bee pest found in Queensland Queensland beekeepers are being urged to carefully examine their hives after the State Government quarantined two apiaries in the Sunshine Coast hinterland following the suspected discovery of an exotic pest, the small hive beetle, Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said today. "Beekeepers should report any suspicious findings to the Department of Primary Industries Call Centre in 13 25 23," he said. Mr Palaszczuk said honey bee hives at the apiaries in the Beerwah State Forest, about 80 kilometres north of Brisbane, were quarantined after the Department of Primary Industries investigation found suspect small hive beetles. The DPI undertook the investigation after NSW Agriculture traced movement of hive material from a suspect site near Sydney to an apiary in Beerwah. Mr Palaszczuk said the DPI would be working closely with the honey bee industry on this issue and that further information would be available through the DPI Call Centre. The Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) has met and agreed to form a working group comprising DPI staff, NSW Agriculture, Commonwealth department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia, CSIRO and bee industry members to determine the extent of infestation. The small hive beetle (SHB) is an exotic pest of honey bee hives and is endemic in some countries such as South Africa and in recent years has been found in the USA. The beetles were first reported in the Hawkesbury area apiary on Monday and a follow-up investigation by the DPI found suspect beetles at the Beerwah site. "Although the DPI is almost certain it has found the small hive beetle, we are awaiting final confirmation from an SHB specialist," Mr Palaszczuk said. "The affected apiaries have been quarantined and wider surveillance is being carried out to determine if the pest is present in the immediate area and elsewhere in Queensland." Mr Palaszczuk said the Government received Executive Council approval this afternoon to amend regulations make it a declared pest. As a declared pest, the DPI is able to enforce quarantine and other regulatory controls, such as destruction orders. Mr Palaszczuk said the beetles can be difficult to detect. They are dark brown-black, about 5mm long and move very quickly when exposed to light. "They may be found in the dark areas of the hive and in the debris on the hive floor, especially towards the back of the bottom board," he said. The beetle is spread mainly by the movement of bees and beehives by beekeepers, however as the beetle pupates in the soil, soil movement from apiary sites could also possibly spread infestation. Background to Queensland honey bee industry: There are 80, 000 commercial hives in Queensland producing (on an average year) 75 kilograms per hive of honey. The Queensland bee industry produces honey, beeswax, honeycomb, queen bee exports and pollination services. * The 6000 tonnes of honey produced by Queensland hives each year are valued at $24 million. * Beeswax production is estimated at 100 tonnes per year, valued at $450,000. * Queen bee exports of 20,000 queen bees at $15 each represent $300,000 to the industry annually. Media contact: | ||||||||||||||||||||