Honey bees and beekeeping

American foulbrood alert

Alert

In July 2023, American foulbrood (AFB) disease was found in a routine honey sample in the Top End of the Northern Territory.

If you suspect your hives are infected, you must call Biosecurity on 1800 084 881 or email plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au

Read more about AFB below.

American foulbrood (AFB) is an infectious disease of honey bee larvae and pupae. It is a notifiable disease and must be reported.

Heavy infections can affect most of the brood, severely weakening the colony and eventually killing it.

The disease can't be cured. It can only be managed by destroying infected colonies and hives or irradiating infected material.

Check for the disease

If you are a beekeeper, you should check your hives regularly for AFB. Uncontrolled infected hives act as a source of infection for other hives.

Signs include:

  • colonies become progressively weaker
  • infected larvae die in a coiled or twisted position, changing from a healthy pearly white colour to yellow, and then to brown
  • a characteristic pungent 'glue-pot' odour is noticeable, often when you remove the cover of the hive
  • the comb may appear a little greasy.

When inspecting the hive you should remove each brood frame and look for symptoms such as an irregular or scattered brood pattern with a mottled appearance.

Beekeepers should also look at unsealed brood because most infected larvae die before their cells are capped.

How the disease is diagnosed

AFB can be difficult to detect visually, especially in the early stages of infection.

The easiest and most effective way to test for AFB is through a laboratory analysis using a honey sample.

Laboratory tests can confirm the presence of AFB spores in honey with very high confidence, even if it's at very low levels.

Contact Plant Biosecurity for help with testing.

More information

For more information about AFB, go to the Plant Health Australia BeeAware website.


Asian honey bee alert

Asian honey bees are a significant threat to Australian and Northern Territory (NT) honey and pollination industries because they could carry the varroa mite which feeds on bees.

They can also spread other pests or diseases to European honey bees, which are used to produce honey and pollinate fruit and vegetable crops.

The Asian honey bee is already in Queensland and a swarm was found in Karama in May 2018.

Authorities are asking the community to report any suspect bees to help protect beekeeping and plant industries.

Appearance

Asian honey bees:

  • are yellow and dark brown with black stripes on their body and legs
  • similar to the common European honey bee, but about 5mm smaller
  • move in very tight clusters that range from the size of a closed hand to that of a basketball when swarming
  • are more aggressive than European bees and more likely to sting.

Bee comparison

The photo above shows the Asian honey bee (at right) compared with the standard European honey bee (at left).

How to report

You must report suspect bees to Plant Biosecurity by calling 08 8999 2118 or the exotic plant pest hotline on 1800 084 881.


Honey bee pest and disease surveillance program survey

If you require assistance completing this form, email honeybee@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 2118.

Date of inspection *
Varroa Mite
Did you find evidence of Varroa Mite? *
eg. sugar shake, alcohol wash or drone uncapping - visual only inspection is not acceptable.
Small Hive Beetle
Did you find evidence of Small Hive Beetles? *
eg. trap/jail, sticky board, visual frame inspection. If other, please specify.
American Foulbrood
Did you find evidence of American Foulbrood? *
eg. matchstick test, AFB test kit, visual frame inspection. If other, please specify.
Other pests or diseases
Did you find evidence of other pests or diseases? *

If any of the above pest and diseases are present, you need to ring the exotic plant pest hotline on 1800 084 881. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Notification is a requirement under the Northern Territory Livestock Act 2008.

Privacy statement

By taking part, your personal information will be collected and used by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) for this program only.

Your information may be disclosed:

  • if its required by the Information Act 2002
  • to other agencies if an exotic pest is found to aid in biosecurity response activities.

To find out more about how we handle your information, read the department's on the DITT website.