Diana Leemon -
A Natural Control Option for Varroa Mites?
Australia remained varroa-free until June 2022, when the varroa mite (Varroa destructor) was detected in New South Wales. Despite eradication efforts, varroa has now spread to Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, making it endemic. Beekeepers must adapt to new management practices, learning from overseas while recognising some solutions may not suit Australian conditions. Innovative approaches, such as using entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents against varroa mites, are needed.
In this presentation, Dr Diana Leemon will provide an overview of the biology and ecology ofVarroa destructorand discuss its effects on the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). She will review the varroa control methods currently available in Australia. Additionally, Dr Leemon will address the application of entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents and evaluate their potential for managing varroa mites in honey bee colonies
Diana Leemon is the principal at Myco-Vation providing scientific advisory and review services. She was formerly a research scientist with AgriScience Queensland within the Qld Department of Primary Industries. Diana is currently an executive member of the Australian Honeybee Industry Council (AHBIC), she has served on the AgriFutures Honey Bee and Pollination industry advisory panel and on the Qld Beekeepers’ Association management committee. Diana is also an adjunct associate professor in the Southern Cross University Bees for Sustainable Living research group and has been a contract trainer for the National Varroa Mite Management Program in Queensland.
Diana’s research interests are centred around the non-chemical management of livestock pests, particularly apiary pests, to provide integrated pest management tools using entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agents. Her wider research interests extend to applied mycology and how fungi can provide sustainable solutions for modern agriculture. Diana started in beekeeping over 25 years, keeping both honeybees and native stingless bees.