Varroa mite (Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni) is a parasite of adult honey bees and honey bee brood. It the most serious pest of honey bees worldwide. 

The mites are tiny reddish brown external parasites of honey bees. It weakens and kills honey bee colonies, and can also transmit honey bee viruses.
Image: from NSW DPI website

This week, a new Varroa mite detection was made near Nana Glen, north-west of Coffs Harbour. The find has lead to another set of biosecurity zones being established by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. This find brings the total number of infected sites in NSW to 43.

How is it characterised?
On their own, individual mites are easily identifiable to the naked eye.  Left untreated varroa mite will kill any bee hive it infects. All feral and untreated bee colonies will eventually die.

How is it spread?
Drone bees are able to move varroa mites from hive to hive and even between apiaries. Mites are agile, move into hives quickly and transfer through contact between bees. There are strict quarantine requirements in place to protect the Australian honey bee industry.

Click the link for a PDF copy of NSWDPI PrimeFact on Varroa mites.