90% of wild honey bee colonies collapsed in Queensland
One year after varroa mite entered Queensland, an estimated 90% of wild honey bee colonies in south-east Queensland have collapsed and almost all managed colonies are struggling to survive. A new mite resistant to synthetic miticide has emerged, forcing beekeepers to use oxalic acid treatments that suppress but do not eliminate the mites. Commercial apiarist Rick McFarlane reported devastation and said his costs have increased by $1,500 to $3,000 per month to treat his 150 hives.