Australia’s honey bee populations play a critical role in crop pollination, food security and ecosystem health. Crops valued at an estimated $12.9 billion are at least partially reliant on honey bee pollination. This system now faces an unprecedented challenge following the detection of Varroa destructor mites in Australia in November 2022. 

International experience has shown that Varroa mites can rapidly devastate bee populations by spreading harmful viruses. In many countries, this has led to heavy economic losses and an increasing dependence on chemical treatments, which often become less effective over time as resistance develops. Australia’s comparatively late exposure to Varroa, however, presents a rare and time-limited opportunity: to study how bee natural resistance may emerge, rather than responding only after widespread losses occur.  Seizing this rare opportunity, researchers at ANU are working to understand how bee populations can survive and adapt to Varroa pressure.

This research is being led by Australian National University (ANU) PhD candidate Sara Bryant, a beekeeper and former environmental scientist in the College of Science and Medicine. Motivated by the arrival of Varroa and its potential impacts, Sara began doctoral research at ANU with the Mikheyev Group as part of the Australian Bee Conservation Network (ABON) to better understand how some honey bee populations survive despite mite pressure. 

The project is using genomic analysis to track feral honey bee populations before and after Varroa invasion. By collecting and comparing genetic samples across different regions and seasons this research has the potential to identify traits associated with survival. In simple terms, the research will allow researchers to see which bees are coping with Varroa and understand why. Such an approach is highly novel: Australia is one of the few countries able to directly compare pre- and post-invasion data, allowing evolutionary change to be observed as it happens rather than inferred retrospectively. 

The practical applications of this work are significant. Findings can inform selective breeding programmes for managed hives, helping beekeepers reduce colony losses and reliance on chemical treatments. For farmers, more resilient bee populations mean more reliable pollination services and reduced risk to crop yields. Industry modelling suggests that Varroa could increase beekeeping operating costs by around 30 per cent and lead to losses of up to $1.25 billion to pollinator-reliant industries over the next 30 years without effective intervention.

The pollination industry contributes over $4.6 billion annually to Australian agricultural production. Around 65% of the agricultural production relies on honey bee pollination, with almonds, avocados, apples, cherries, and berries being almost completely reliant on honey bees. These figures reinforce how central honey bees are to productive and sustainable agri-food systems, and why projects like this require timely research, cross-sector collaboration and sustained investment. To support this impact, the project has been designed to meet industry needs. Members of the public are also involved, with volunteer beekeepers and citizen scientists helping with simple and safe drone-sampling methods, extending the project’s reach while building shared understanding across the sector. 

Looking ahead, sustained funding and cooperation will be essential. Varroa resistance develops over years, not seasons. Continued support will enable broader sampling, deeper genetic analysis and stronger engagement with beekeepers nationwide, helping to build a more resilient agricultural future for Australia. 

Read more about this project and how you can get involved with and support ABON on the COSM website.: https://science.anu.edu.au/engagement/australian-bee-observation-network