giant honey bee

The Giant Honey Bee is found in China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and the Philippines. Australia is free from the Giant Honey Bee and we want to keep it that way.

What is the risk to Australia?

The Giant Honey Bee carries a range of internal and external parasitic mites. These mites could infest Australian honeybees, resulting in a rapid reduction of domestic and commercial bee hives. This could cause serious damage to the Australian honeybee industry and related industries, such as pollination providers.

What does the Giant Honey Bee look like?

The Giant Honey Bee has dark coloured wings and is 30 to 50 per cent larger than other honey bees.

What to look for

The Giant Honey Bee likes to nest in man made structures. They can be found in or on machinery, the underside of shipping containers, hollow logs and between the outer and inner lining of structures. Keep an eye out for the presence of wax combs, or worker bees flying to and from ships, containers or other cargo.

What to do if you find any Giant Honey Bees

• SEE. SECURE. REPORT.
  
• If you SEE any suspect findings, SECURE them where possible and immediately REPORT them to AQIS on 1800 020 504.
  
• Do not move any contaminated structures or containers.
  
• Consult AQIS entomologists prior to handling or collecting specimens.

More information

website
Phone: 1800 020 504 Freecall within Australia