NEW-ZELAND
	Bee devastation worries expert

Where are all the honey-bees? West Auckland entomologist Dr Peter Maddison believes the dreaded varroa mite has devastated the bee population throughout Waitakere City and is taking his concerns to the Ministry of Biosecurity.

15/01/2004

Mr Maddison is writing to Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton and calling for quick action.
"All the wild swarms have died off - now is the time to do something," Mr Maddison says.

Titirangi wildlife photographer Geoff Moon says he hasn't seen any honey-bees this year.
Mr Moon says they're generally around, pollinating his runner beans.
"Where have they gone? I've seen the odd bumble-bee but they're not interested in my beans," he says.

"What can be done about it? Maybe the answer is to have neighbours with beehives?"
The parasitic bee mite has preyed on Auckland's feral bee hives since its discovery in the region in April 2000.
Hobby beekeepers are learning to live with the mite and managing it with a range of methods, including organic controls for their hives.

Mark Goodwin of HortResearch, who helped write a varroa control manual for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, says the mite is expected to spread over the North Island and eventually to the South Island.
"It is hoped that the movement controls established by the Government will help slow this spread," Mr Goodwin says.

Beekeepers can use methods already proven successful overseas to reduce the mite's effects, he says.
"Success in fighting varroa will depend on how well beekeepers are able to adapt to changes required in their beekeeping management.".