Beekeepers call for access to new biopesticide to target varroa mite

The lead researcher of a new biopesticide says it could be a "holy grail" treatment for the deadly varroa mite. (Supplied: Phil Lester)

A new biopesticide to manage the bee-killing varroa mite has been developed.

Researchers say it could help battle growing resistance to varroa treatments in Australia.

Beekeepers are calling for the government to invest in the new treatment, currently available in the United States, and explore other potential solutions.

When South Australian beekeeper Ian Cass looks at his beehives he finds a tiny, red mite.

Despite its size, it is this hard-to-manage micro menace that scares him most and threatens his livelihood.

He has begun hoping overseas treatments for the deadly varroa destructor mite will be introduced in Australia, following growing resistance to available mite treatments.

"We need some more options, we need some more choices to get through this," Mr Cass said.

Resistance to treatment has been rising in multiple Australian states, with it appearing in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, according to Agriculture Victoria.

Ian Cass says the beekeeping community is scared for its future. (ABC Riverland: Amelia Walters)

The bee-killing mite has been in Australia since 2022, and is responsible for the estimated loss of 90 per cent of wild honey bee populations in some parts of Australia.

It most recently arrived in South Australia for the first time in September.

However, new research from New Zealand has offered beekeepers an alternative to the existing suggested combination of acaricide pesticides and hive biosecurity measures to manage the pest.

Victoria University of Wellington entomologist Phil Lester is part of a research team that has developed a biopesticide that makes the mites infertile.

Phil Lester says varroa mites in Australia are building their resistance to synthetic chemicals. (Supplied)

He said the approach used double-stranded RNA to silence reproductive genes.

"What it does is it's a natural process that's involved in turning off a gene," Professor Lester said.

"This one in particular, this gene works on the reproductive system of the mite, so it doesn't kill the mite … it stops it from laying eggs within the hive.

"What this sort of product does is allow a different approach — one that there isn't any documented resistance to — that could be utilised or could be a key part of the toolkit for varroa control in Australia."

Professor Lester said it would stop the growth of varroa populations and was safe for use on all bees, but it could take up to two years