15 May 2000

Heavily infested hive found at Te Puke

Two new varroa-infested places have been detected near Te Puke in close proximity to the original find. One of the new infected places is a dumpsite only 300 m away from the dumpsite where varroa was first identified in the area. Both these sites are operated by the same beekeeper. One hive on the second dumpsite is described as having a heavy infestation, while other hives are light. A dumpsite is a depot where beekeepers or pollination brokers temporarily place hives.

A high priority is being put on establishing the extent of varroa infestation of the critical Bay of Plenty area. Tracing hive and beekeeper movements has continued over the weekend, and approximately 70 further apiaries identified for follow up testing.

All of the hives at the site near Rawene that proved positive for varroa last week have now been tested, as have the hives on a companion site operated by the same beekeeper, and thus considered at risk. Laboratory results will be available in the next few days.

The Hobby Beekeepers Seminar held in Auckland over the weekend was very successful with close to 250 beekeepers attending. Of the diagnostic kits issued and returned by late Sunday, early visual readings indicate the number of known Infected Places may significantly rise this week once laboratory results have been confirmed. The results should provide useful information supplementing what is already known about where spread has occurred in the greater Auckland area.

The total number of Infected Places is now 193 on apiaries owned by 62 beekeepers. 1,827 apiaries have now been visited, and the total number of hives on visited apiaries is 33,718.

The movement permit free-phone operation (0800 109 383) received six new requests for permits; with four issued and the pending pile standing at seven.