Bee aware – efforts to eradicate exotic pest continues

Efforts to eradicate red dwarf honey bees in regional WA is continuing, with another colony found and euthanised near King Bay in the Pilbara earlier this month.

The bee, considered a pest, can carry mites and viruses that may impact European honey bees and it may compete with native bees for food. It was first discovered in the region in 2023.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been working with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, local beekeepers and industry to find and destroy the colonies.

After rain in December, the red dwarf bees were found on new plant growth and flowers, particularly new leaf shoots of mardirra/marla, a native sweet potato plant.

Staff searched an area in the southern Murujuga National Park and located a colony on a rocky slope, hidden in a bush.

Ranger Manager Peter Cooper with Bee Response Field Surveillance Officers Emily Bicknell and Will Hanbury.

DPIRD Incident Controller Tim Nicholas said getting rid of the pest completely will take continued collective effort:

“It takes everyone’s awareness and vigilance, particularly people who live here and work here, to have their eyes open and notice anything that’s different,” incident controller Tim Nicholas said.

If you think you have spotted the bees, please call DPIRD on 9368 3080 or email [email protected]. More information at: www.agric.wa.gov.au/red-dwarf-honey-bee.