"Australian Honey Bee Council chief executive Danny LeFeuvre said in light of this recent finding, containing varroa mite in Australia has now become much more complicated.

"It's the worst-case scenario for the response having detection in blue zones, and so far away and in a high-risk area with almonds and other hives in close proximity," he said.

Crop Pollination of Australia president Steve Fuller said with so many hives from across the country positioned in the Riverina and Sunraysia at the moment for the almond pollination, the outbreaks could have a big impact on the industry.

"This is our greatest fear. You're looking at tens of thousands of hives in those areas doing almond population at the moment," he said.

"This is bigger than Ben Hur now.""
well, we had a pretty good run :/
verroa mite in oz ABC
#bees #BEES