Species Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans, 1904
- Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans, A.C. 1904. Acarologische aanteekeningen XII. Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam) 1(18): 160-164.
Introduction
Several authors have reported Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans, 1904 from Australia (e.g. Möbus & Connor 1988; Anon. 1988). All these records before 1994 are in error (see Doyle 1988; Winner 1989). A species identified as Varroa jacobsoni was intercepted in quarantine in Sydney (White 1991), but did not become established. Varroa jacobsoni was collected on the islands of Dauan and Sabai, in the Torres Strait between Queensland and Papua New Guinea (Knihinicki & Halliday 1995; Anon. 1995; Anon. 1996; Anderson & Trueman 2000). These islands are politically part of Australia, but they are only 4 km from the coast of Papua New Guinea and widely separated by ocean from mainland Australia, in an area that is the subject of an intense quarantine barrier (Rice et al. 2016).
In 2016 and 2019 Varroa jacobsoni was found in colonies of the Asian Honey Bee Apis cerana at separate sites in the city of Townsville, Queensland. This population appears to be the result of a very recent invasion. Since that time an intense biosecurity effort has been conducted, with the objective of eradicating both Apis cerana and Varroa jacobsoni (Queensland Government, 2016, 2019 internet documents).
General References
Anderson, D. & Trueman, J.W.H. 2000. Varroa jacobsoni (Acari: Varroidae) is more than one species. Experimental and Applied Acarology 24: 165-189
Anon. 1988. Letze Meldung! Varroa in Australien!. Adiz 22: 158
Anon. 1995. Varroa on Dauan Island. Australasian Beekeeper 96: 357
Anon. 1996. Aussie Varroa and Canada. Australasian Beekeeper 97: 6
Doyle, K.A. 1988. Australien ist frei von der Varroa-Milbe. Adiz 22: 422
Knihinicki, D.K. & Halliday, R.B. 1995. The pollen mite, Melittiphis alvearius (Berlese) (Acarina: Laelapidae) newly recorded from beehives in Australia. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 34: 323-325
Queensland Government 2016. Prevention and control program for varroa mite. Queensland Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 30 December 2016. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/biosecurity/biosecurity-programs/prevention-and-control-program-for-varroa-mite
Queensland Government 2019. Surveillance Program for Varroa Mite (Varroa jacobsoni) Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 - 2019 Incident. Queensland Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 13 August 2019. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/biosecurity/animal-biosecurity-welfare/animal-health-pests-diseases/beekeeping-in-queensland/diseases-and-pests/asian-honey-bees/varroa-mites
Queensland Government 22 December 2016. Varroa mite. https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/species/invasive-animals/prohibited/varroa-mites
Queensland Government 30 December 2016. Varroa mites. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/animal-industries/bees/diseases-and-pests/asian-honey-bees/general-information-on-varroa-mites
Rice, A., Schneider, I., Barnett., S. & Cowan, S. 2016. Varroa Mites on Asian Honeybees in the Torres Strait: Prevelance on Foraging Bees and Rapid Screening of Swarms. Australian Government, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Canberra. August 2016. www.agriculture.gov.au/ [Search term = Varroa]
White, B. 1991. Importation of queen bees - Quarantine facility and procedures. Australasian Beekeeper 92: 292-293
Winner, W.G. 1989. No Varroa mites in Australia. Australasian Beekeeper 90: 346
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05-Dec-2019 | Acari | 21-Sep-2019 | MODIFIED | Dr Bruce Halliday |
| 01-May-2017 | Acari | 02-Mar-2017 | MODIFIED | Dr Bruce Halliday |
| 07-May-2013 | 07-May-2013 | MODIFIED | ||
| 06-Nov-2011 | 06-Nov-2011 | MOVED | ||
| 08-Aug-2010 | 08-Aug-2010 | MOVED | ||
| 09-Jul-2010 | 09-Jul-2010 | ADDED | ||
| 08-Jul-2010 | MODIFIED |