June 24, 2015

New Zealand is reporting the loss of thousands of honey bee colonies after the discovery of the existence of Lotmaria passim in the country, a parasite which attacks the gut of honey bees, and which was discovered in the U.S. only six months ago.

Reports indicate the rapid loss of thousands of colonies in the Coromandel Peninsula with up to 95% of bees in each hive disappearing and production losses for commercial beekeepers in the region of between 40% and 65%. Reports of similar losses have surfaces in the Raglan and Wairarapa regions.

Although DNA tests indicate the definitive existence of Lotmaria passim, scientists are working to discover how long this parasite has been in the country and if this parasite is the sole cause of the mysterious bee losses, as other parasites were also present in affected hives. Because sick bees will abandon a hive to save the colony, it is difficult to gain much insight from the healthier bees left in the hive. Scientists have eliminated the possibility of pesticide exposure as a cause, and are reluctant to form connections between the New Zealand bee losses and colony collapse disorder (CCD) which has decimated bee colonies in North America and Europe. Although the scenarios are similar, the timing of the losses is different. Losses caused by CCD usually occur in autumn, while the losses in New Zealand occurred in spring.

The country’s Ministry of Primary Industries has invited outside bee specialists and scientists to collaborate on the ongoing investigation into the losses and their cause.

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