Pg. 26-27 The Problem of the Varroa Mite as a Pest of Honeybees as Pollinators

The recent discovery of the parasitic mite of honeybees, Varroa jacobsoni, in South Africa, poses a considerable threat to beekeeping and agriculture dependent on bees for commercial pollination. It is almost certain that the mite will spread into all honeybee colonies in South Africa. If it effects the scale of honeybee mortality witnessed in other parts of the world, comprehensive counter-measures will be needed to ensure the survival of the beekeeping industry, as well as crops such as litchis which require honeybees for pollination.