Local beekeepers concerned as Varroa Mite enters SA

Local beekeepers are feeling the impacts of the bee-killing varroa mite, with the parasite detected in South Australia for the first time.

The discovery of the mite in SA came from a hive located in Pooginook, in the state’s Riverland which was traced back a group of hives from Queensland.

The mite, first spotted in New South Whales during 2022, kills bees by latching onto their bodies and feeding off the animal, leaving infected hives with a 95% fatality rate if not properly treated. PIRSA say they are working with local beekeepers to best manage the parasite in the area.

Image: Image from Flickr

Produced By: Ella Panazzollo

Featured In Story: Ian Cass – beekeeper in SA’s Riverland , and JP Scheerlinck – Honorary Professor at the Melbourne University, and technical lead for the Australian pollination security status report

First aired on The Wire, Friday 19 September 2025