Port of Brisbane varroa mite detection
Detection
On 19 February 2024, a single varroa mite (Varroa jacobsoni) was found in a sentinel beehive at the Port of Brisbane.
More Varroa jacobsoni were found in a feral Asian honey bee nest nearby. This feral nest was destroyed. Testing showed this was a new, exotic incursion of Asian honey bee. None of these bees had exotic bee viruses.
Asian honey bees are the natural host for Varroa jacobsoni.
Varroa mite is a prohibited matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Movement control order
A movement control order (MCO) is in place to stop the movement of any varroa mite carrier into, within, or out of the restricted area.
The MCO was issued on 26 February 2024.
Varroa mite carriers include:
- apiary equipment
- unprocessed honey
- beeswax
- live bees.
Restricted area
The MCO applies to varroa mite carriers in these suburbs, including up to 90 days prior to the date that the MCO took effect.
- Ascot
- Balmoral
- Banyo
- Belmont
- Birkdale
- Boondall
- Brisbane Airport
- Bulimba
- Cannon Hill
- Carina
- Carindale
- Chandler
- Clayfield
- Eagle Farm
- Geebung
- Gumdale
- Hamilton
- Hemmant
- Hendra
- Kalinga
- Lota
- Lytton
- Manly
- Manly West
- Moreton Bay
- Morningside
- Murarrie
- Northgate
- Nudgee
- Nudgee Beach
- Nundah
- Pinkenba
- Port of Brisbane
- Ransome
- Shorncliffe
- Thorneside
- Tingalpa
- Virginia
- Wakerley
- Wavell Heights
- Wynnum
- Wynnum West
View a map of these suburbs on the last page of the MCO.
Items you cannot move
You cannot move these items into, within, or out of the restricted area:
- bees
- bee hives
- bee products (including unprocessed honey)
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
- used beekeeping equipment.
If you want to move any of these items within the restricted area, you must apply for a biosecurity instrument permit.
You can enter the restricted area to care for your hives.
Items you can move
You can move these items into, within, or out of the restricted area:
- processed honey or processed beeswax
- new and unused apiary appliances
- quarantine secured diagnostic honey samples for testing at a recognised diagnostic facility
- a carrier item that
- originates from outside the restricted area
- and
- is transiting along major roads through the localities in a quarantine-secure manner
- and
- does not stop in the restricted area.
What you need to do
- Contact us if you have moved any bees, beehives or beekeeping equipment from a suburb in the restricted area after 22 November 2023.
- Apply for a biosecurity instrument permit to move varroa mite carriers into, within, or out of the restricted zone.
- Check your hives.
- Report your hive check using the Bee123 form.
- Report suspected varroa mites.
- Report swarms or feral hives to Biosecurity Queensland.
- Last reviewed: 15 Apr 2024
- Last updated: 15 Apr 2024