After two years through the pandemic, hearing terms like lockout, tracking, and circuit breaker may be a bit familiar. But this time they were used to respond to invasive parasites, not viruses.
Varroa pests, commonly known as varroa mites, spread viruses that paralyze the bees' ability to fly, gather food, and pollinate crops.
It was first discovered in hives in Newcastle Harbor as well as at a nearby commercial beekeeper.
The nests are among six used to monitor biosecurity at ports.
Further parasite detection was then carried out over the weekend, in hives within 10 kilometers of the port, leading biosecurity officials to impose strict restrictions on the movement of bees and hives across New South Wales.
Hundreds of beehives around Newcastle will have to be destroyed in the coming days.
