Monday, June 09, 2003

Unfair Varroa

The Varroa mite (Varroa jacobsoni), a deadly parasite of honeybees, is having a major impact in New Zealand. According to this article and this article from HortNews, the cost of pollinating kiwifruit on North Island alone has increased over $3 million per year. The bee industry is lobbying for more funding to fight the mite, especially to prevent it from spreading to South Island. Whether that is even possible remains to be seen, as the mite has recently expanded its range to every section of North Island.

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