IPB University Expert: Australia’s Varroa Mite Crisis Serves as a Warning for Indonesia
An outbreak of the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is crippling Australia’s honeybee population and agricultural sector. This situation is directly impacting the productivity of several agricultural commodities that depend on honeybee pollination.
According to IPB University’s expert in ecological genetics, Prof Ronny Rachman Noor, Australia is expected to face a serious pollination crisis by 2026. The country is projected to face a shortage of approximately 290.000 beehives for the peak pollination season this coming August due to the uncontrolled spread of the Varroa mite.
“This extremely rapid spread of the Varroa mite has had a massive and devastating impact on Australia’s honeybee industry. More than 50 percent of beekeepers have had to shut down their operations due to extremely high control costs, resistance to chemical treatments, and losses resulting from the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of hives,” explained Prof Ronny.
From an economic perspective, honeybees contribute approximately AUD 14,2 billion annually to Australia’s agricultural sector through pollination services. The decline in bee populations has a direct impact on crops that are highly dependent on pollination, such as almonds, apples, cherries, stone fruits, and avocados. This situation risks triggering crop failures, a decline in fruit and nut production, rising food prices, and increased reliance on imports.
Understanding the Varroa Mite
Prof Ronny explained that the varroa mite is a parasite that lives entirely on honeybees (Apis mellifera). These mites attach themselves to adult bees and reproduce inside wax sealed larval cells, particularly in the cells of drone bees, which have a longer development cycle.
“The Varroa mite is a parasite that attacks bees and affects their health. By attaching itself to the bees and feeding on their hemolymph, Varroa weakens the immune system and spreads viruses such as the deformed wing virus and rhabdovirus, thereby accelerating the death of the colony,” he said.
Another challenge is the emergence of resistance to chemical control agents. Varroa populations in New South Wales and Queensland are reported to be resistant to pyrethroids and amitraz, rendering standard treatments ineffective. Since 2022, this outbreak has caused mass colony collapse affecting more than 60 percent of hives.
To address these issues, Prof Ronny advocates for the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) through a combination of chemical, organic, and mechanical methods, accompanied by routine population monitoring. The use of organic acids, the development of varroa-resistant bees, financial support, and the application of biotechnology are also part of the long term solution.
Lessons for Indonesia
According to him, Australia’s experience should serve as an important lesson for Indonesia. Biosecurity measures need to be strengthened to prevent the entry of mites through imports of bees or beekeeping products.
“It is important to strengthen biosecurity within the national surveillance system to detect bee pests early on. Additionally, pollinator diversification programs should be designed not to rely solely on honeybees, but to also involve native bees and other insects,” said Prof Ronny.
He added that policy support in the form of pest control subsidies, research funding, and IPM training for beekeepers is also necessary. “Indonesia must learn from this crisis, strengthen biosecurity, and diversify pollination methods to avoid a similar situation,” he concluded. (*/Rz) (IAAS/SSR)
