Many of the pests and diseases that negatively impact beehives overseas are not present in New Zealand
Many of the pests and diseases that negatively impact beehives overseas are not present in New Zealand
The state of New Zealand's honey bee colonies is relatively healthy compared to the challenges faced by beekeepers overseas, according to a survey of beekeepers.
Last year, 2066 beekeepers completed a survey, representing 30 per cent of production colonies in New Zealand.
A Ministry of Primary Industries Manager, Dr MichaelTaylor, says this is low when compared to international results, which consistently has rates well over 10 per cent.
In New Zealand, the reported rate of losses has stayed relatively stable from 2016 when 9.78 per cent of beehives were lost, but down from 2015 where the loss rate was almost 11 per cent.
"Many of the pests and diseases that negatively impact beehives overseas are not present in New Zealand, and we have a robust biosecurity system to prevent them from coming into the country and deal with them if they do," says Dr Taylor.
Leading reported causes were the death, disappearance or non-egg laying by queens, suspected varroamite, starvation of bees from weather and other causes and wasps killing bees, eating pupae and stealinghoney.
Losses to American foulbrood disease, natural disasters, Argentine ants and theft were also contributing factors, but less commonly reported.
