Bee Research and Extension Lab News - Southern Cross University

Newsletter Q1 2025

two men inspecting bee hives — Dr Cooper Schouten and Apiary Technician Pete Wilkins

The SCU Bee Research and Extension Lab: Contributing to the future of Australian beekeeping

Southern Cross University is excited to unveil the Bee Research and Extension Lab (BREL) at our Lismore campus. The lab seeks to bridge the gap between research and practical beekeeping, and aims to translate scientific findings into actionable solutions for Australian beekeepers.

In the wake of Varroa Destructor, a key area for research is the development of effective and affordable varroa control options tailored to Australian conditions.

In addition to research, the lab will provide hands-on training, workshops and field days in collaboration with industry associations and organisations to get science into the apiary. The SCU Bee Research and Extension Lab is keen to collaborate with beekeepers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders. By fostering these partnerships and sharing skills and knowledge, we can draw on the collective talents of many people to strengthen the Australian beekeeping industry.

If you have ideas or feedback, want to participate in training sessions, attend field days, or contribute to research efforts, we want to hear from you

For more information on upcoming events, and opportunities for collaboration, please visit our website at scu.edu.au/brel or contact us directly at bee.lab@scu.edu.au

See you in the apiary!

Dr Cooper Schouten standing at podium holding a piece of fruit (pomegranate)

Celebrating the Opening of the SCU Bee Research and Extension Lab

The SCU Bee Research and Extension Lab opened its doors in September welcoming over 90 beekeepers at the Lismore campus marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to supporting Australian beekeepers and advancing beekeeping research.

Dr. Cooper Schouten, SCU's Vice Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin, DPIRD Biosecurity Officer Rod Bourke, and Steve Fuller, president of the Australian Crop Pollination Association gave speeches emphasizing the importance of the industry and the need for applied honey bee research for Australian beekeeping businesses.

Check out BREL’s YouTube Channel for the presentations.

Cooper’s presentation

Rod’s Presentation

Interviews from the opening night

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thankyou to those who braved the weather to attend, and the Northern Rivers Beekeeping Supplies, Flow Hive, Bee Star, SCU, and the Varroa Development Officers and Department of Primary Industries (DPIRD) who set up stalls. Thank you for all your enthusiasm, interest and support!

group of women (top) and bees wax products (bottom) — PhD candidate Anneliese Austin and Karen Mills (Mudrenicagi Estate) with workshop participants

Bees For Sustainable Livelihoods: Empowering Women in PNG: Turning Hive Products into Profitable Opportunities

Bee Research and Extension Labs PhD candidate Anneliese Austin and Karen Mills (Mudrenicagi Estate) recently conducted a “Train the Trainer” program with Five women from the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea which aimed to support rural women to learn about adding value to beeswax and honey, and how to deliver quality outcome-based training to local beekeepers.

Other than liquid honey, bees produce many other valuable substances, such as wax and propolis. These can be harvested, processed and transformed into different value-added products, which can generate additional income for beekeepers and their families.

Five women from the Eastern Highlands Province participated in the program. Moving forward, these new trainers will be supported to provide ongoing training to women who are involved in family beekeeping enterprises in PNG. This training and support will enable more women to participate in family bee businesses, and in turn provide a way to increase income from beekeeping.

This activity formed part of a larger project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Strengthening beekeeping industries for improved production and livelihoods in Fiji, PNG and Solomon Islands).

You can read more about Anneleise’s research here and here.

Ten men in rural setting — Dr Cooper with local beekeepers in Papua New Guinea

Varroa resistance to Bayvarol in Papua New Guinea

Dr. Schouten worked in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG) in December where he undertook observations (such as the distribution, abundance, fecundity and reproduction) of Varroa jacobsoni populations which are causing big problems for beekeepers in managed honey bee colonies. One of his primary focuses was to investigate growing concerns by their bee industry around Varroa resistance to Bayvarol in PNG, where Bayvarol has been the sole available mite control method for many years.

The team discovered that Varroa jacobsoni showed resistance to flumethrin, the active ingredient in Bayvarol. This finding is not only important for local beekeepers to ensure they keep on top of mites, but it is also important as it marks a known case of resistance close to Australia’s borders, and this may have broader implications for detection of these mites in our Australian bee biosecurity. It's also a very real and close to home reminder of the problems associated with not rotating chemical classes.

The finding also highlights the importance of beekeepers knowing how to conduct resistance tests in their apiaries so that future resistance is detected early and beekeepers don't risk wasting money on a product that is no longer effective.

black and white of typical Rhabdovirus viral particles (not Apis Rhabdovirus) — Example of typical Rhabdovirus viral particles (not Apis Rhabdovirus). The name is derived from Ancient Greek rhabdos, meaning rod, referring to the shape of the viral particles.

Virus update for Australian beekeepers

Since the incursion of Varroa destructor in June 2022, thousands of bees and thousands of mites have been tested for honey bee viruses. Industry organisations during webinars have reported that no major viruses of concern have been detected, including Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).

While deformed wings in honey bees (Apis mellifera) have been observed by beekeepers in areas with Varroa mite infestations and this a key symptom of DWV, these deformities can also result from other factors.

These include physical trauma during pupal development (e.g. being bitten by mites feeding), hot and cold weather, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to pesticides, and genetic mutations (McMahon et al., 2016; Kevill et al., 2017; Grozinger and Flenniken, 2019).

This is not to say DWV is not in Australia, but rather that it hasn’t been detected yet. Two viruses that have been detected that are new to Australia are two different species of Rhabdovirus, Apis Rhabdovirus-1 (ARV-1) and Apis Rhabdovirus-2 (ARV-2).

Read More Here (Link to Rhabdovirus Summary by Dr Shouten & Dr Remnant)

Authored by Dr Cooper Schouten and Dr Emily Remnant
Peer reviewed by Dr Rob Manning and Jon Lockwood
December 2024.

Honey Bee Biosecurity Course at SCU in February

The NSW DPI are seeking expressions of interest to attend an Agskilled 3.0 funded industry training held at the SCU apiary. The training focuses on Honeybee Biosecurity with the following two units of competency;

Manage pests and disease in a honey bee colony
Apply sampling methods

Participants must be operating a commercial bee enterprise or growing into the industry; 50+hives. This is a great opportunity for beekeepers to come together and share knowledge especially now that we are facing varroa management.

Two days training 8.30am-4.00pm

Two separate course dates are available - 25-26 Feb or 27-28 Feb. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Please click this link to register