Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is the most serious pest of European honeybees (Apis mellifera). First detected in Australia at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022, an unprecedented national eradication effort was launched but was declared unfeasible in September 2023. In response, a 24-month Transition to Management (T2M) Plan was introduced in February 2024 to slow the spread of the mite and help beekeepers and pollination-dependent industries prepare.
Despite these efforts, Varroa mite detections have now occurred across further parts of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing surveillance and increased community awareness.
This session will cover biosecurity fundamentals, an update on the Varroa response and current spread, Varroa biology, behaviour and impacts on honeybees during the build-up and establishment phases, an introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and what pollination will look like once Varroa is present
The goal of this session is to build awareness and readiness among beekeepers, gardeners, growers and pollinator advocates.
Honey Bees & Varroa Mite Management
Diggers Guests | Members Webinar SeriesAbout this experience
Your Host
Joshua D’Ambrosio is a Varroa Development Officer with PIRSA (Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia) and an accredited trainer under the National Varroa Mite Management Program. He works closely with beekeepers and communities to address one of the most significant threats to honeybees worldwide, the Varroa mite, and to build awareness and practical capability to protect pollinators.
In addition to his role with PIRSA, Joshua is the beekeeper at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, managing the beehive located near The Diggers Shop at the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Through this role, he engages with passionate advocates for pollinators and supports initiatives that promote their health and wellbeing.
As part of the National Varroa Mite Transition to Management Program, Joshua delivers community presentations on honeybees, beekeeping, and Varroa mite management. He is enthusiastic about collaborating with the Diggers Club community to strengthen knowledge, resilience, and stewardship for honeybees and other pollinators.
