Australia is killing millions of bees to save the honey business
Australian authorities have killed millions of bees over the past two weeks in an effort to contain apotentially devastating parasitic plague called Varroa mites. The Verroa mite parasite has spread to the south-eastern part of the country.
Varroa Mite
Its parasitic insect infects and eats bees, often referred to as Varroa destroyer. These tiny insects which are reddish-brown in color are.capable of destroying entire colonies of bees. They are often passed from bee to bee and via beekeeping equipment (such as remove combs).
Although Varroa mites can eat and survive on adult bees, they.primarily feed on larvae and pupae and reproduce, leading to malformation and weakening as well as virus transmission. As the.mite population in bee colonies. increases, the symptoms become more severe.
Heavy infestations usually result in bees becoming crippled, affecting their flight ability and reducing their rate of return to the colony by.collecting food, and ultimately lowering colony’s productivity.