Varroa mite resistance detected in NSW and QLD

Varroa mite resistance detected in NSW and QLD

The following national talking points were distributed by the Australian Government on 21 April, 2026.

Key points

• Amitraz resistance in varroa mites has been confirmed in New South Wales and Queensland.
• This resistance was detected in the same apiaries that were found with Pyrethroid resistant mites in January 2026.
• Analysis has confirmed that this s a second varroa mite incursion into Australia, which has introduced the genetic resistance to pyrethroid and amitraz-based treatments.
• Resistant mites appear to be spreading through the trade of bees and proximity to affected apiaries. The resistance has been recorded from parts of central and northern NSW and southern QLD, and it is likely that additional areas are impacted.
• Both NSW and QLD primary industry departments are contacting registered beekeepers to provide more information and advice.
• If miticide resistance in varroa mites becomes widespread, apiarists will lose key control tools, and there becomes an increased risk of high mite loads and colony losses.

More information is available on the Outbreak – Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases website, including links to the relevant government and industry websites.

What we know

• In January (2026) the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) collected varroa mites from a small number of apiaries in northern NSW following a suspected treatment failure. The resistance was to pyrethroid in Varroa destructor. This was the first time pyrethroid resistance had been detected in Australia’s varroa mite population.
• Genetic testing confirmed the resistance, known as
• After identifying links from the case in NSW to QLD both states have worked together to identify a second version of pyrethroid resistance called Both versions of resistance are confirmed to occur in both NSW and QLD.
• Further genetic analysis has now shown that the mites in these apiaries are also resistant to synthetic miticide products containing the active ingredient Amitraz (Apitraz, Apivar) which have a different mode of action to synthetic pyrethroids
• Research conducted at the NSW Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute has also indicated that the resistant mites are associated with a more recent incursion of Varroa destructor – separate from those first detected in 2022.
• Testing is also underway to identify if there is an endemic or exotic virus in the resistant mite population. So far, the hives tested have not shown any presence of any exotic viruses.
• Varroa destructor was first detected in NSW in June 2022 prompting a nationally coordinated and cost‑shared eradication program. In September 2023, the National Management Group agreed on advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests and confirmed that eradication was no longer feasible.
• A nationally coordinated and cost-shared transition to management program ran for two years with the aim of slowing the spread of varroa mite, and to allow industry to adopt management practices. This program concluded in February 2026.
• Varroa destructor has since been detected in QLD, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia. However, NSW and QLD are currently the only two jurisdictions experiencing treatment resistance.
• States and territories will continue to manage varroa mite with resources deployed under the transition to management program, which support best practice management, including in newly affected areas. These free resources are available on the National Varroa Mite Management Program’s website.

What Government is doing

• The resistance to both major synthetic treatment groups has been communicated to beekeepers in both Queensland and New South Wales through their department of primary industries.
• Bee Biosecurity Officers are working with impacted beekeepers to help assess their individual situations and facilitate the collection of mites for further testing. This testing will help us get a better understanding of the distribution of this resistance in the varroa mite population.
• The ongoing work by the states, territories and the Australian Government is being delivered through the National Bee Biosecurity Program and the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program.
• The Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests convened on 16 April, 2026 to discuss the current situation and share information with the other jurisdictions and affected industries. At this meeting, members agreed that the resistant mite populations cannot be eradicated. This is due to: Varroa destructor being geographically widespread; cannot be contained, and, the pathway for the new incursion is not known.
• These recommendations will be put to the National Management Group for decision.

What you can do

• Resistance in varroa mite populations can arise quickly, particularly when they are repeatedly exposed to synthetic miticides such as Bayvarol, Apistan, Apitraz and Apivar.
• If we have fewer available effective control options, mite levels in colonies can rise leading to increased stress on hives and higher rates of colony decline or mortality.
• Monitor your mite numbers before, during and after miticide treatments. Reach out for help from your primary industries department if you suspect treatment failure.
• If you suspect that resistance-carrying mites are in your area and you treat with pyrethroid or amitraz products, check colonies when they reach mid-treatment to detect potential treatment failure early.
• Beekeepers should follow best practice in the management of varroa mite including the adoption of integrated pest management strategies, including rotation of chemical with different modes of action and ensuring that label and permit conditions are strictly followed. Use “organic” and non-chemical varroa control methods where practical to reduce the use of “synthetic” chemical treatments.
• Practice swarm control to reduce feral honey bee sources of mite reinfestation and spread.
• Ensuring that best practice is followed will help to slow the spread and development of miticide resistant varroa.
• If beekeepers suspect treatment failure in any state or territory, contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This will put you in touch with your department of primary industries where someone can help you to assess the situation and provide further advice.

Find out more

Beekeepers can access free resources and information about managing varroa mite at the National Varroa Mite Management Program website.

This site also has links to varroa information from each state and territory, including reporting options.

The BeeAware website also has a range of information and resources for beekeepers.

This article appears as part of the 24 April 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.