Crop pollination

Feral honey bees, Varroa and pollination risk: what Tasmanian fruit growers should know

By Dr Jon Finch (TIA)

Tasmanian fruit growers currently benefit from both managed honey bee hives and background pollination from insects already present in the landscape. Background pollination may include feral honey bees, honey bees from nearby managed hives, bumblebees, flies and other insects.

A recently completed Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) project investigated the extent to which Tasmanian fruit, berry and vegetable seed crops rely upon background pollination services. The work was conducted in response to the spread of Varroa mite on mainland Australia. The full report can be accessed here.

Bumblebees as commercial pollinators: risks and opportunities

Although bumblebees are now established across Tasmania, they still carry their original status as exotic environmental pests and so their use for commercial purposes is prohibited.

Unlike European honey bees, bumblebees are not susceptible to varroa mite, so their commercialisation for pollination services may be a valuable tool for fruit growers into the future.

At the 2025 Fruit Growers Tasmania industry conference, Dr Jon Finch, from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, outlined the Hort Innovation Frontiers project on bumblebees as effective pollinators in Tasmania (PH23001).

Pollination Guide for the Australian Berry Industry

The Berries Australia Pollination Guide for the Australian Berry Industry 2024 is a best management practices guide for growers and pollination stakeholders in the berry industry. It provides guidance on how to establish and maintain clear communication between parts of your business and your beekeeper. It includes a detailed list of key conversations to have, roles and responsibilities.

It also includes templates for pollination agreements and letters to neighbours.

Access the guide here: Pollination Guide for the Australian Berry Industry

Pollination: unresolved questions

Dr Jon Finch, part of the team at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) researching honeybee pollination and alternative pollinators, presented at the 2023 Fruit Growers Conference.

Jon highlighted the importance of combining pest and pollinator research (IPPM) rather than considering them as separate issues and instead manage them holistically.