A call to action to protect beekeeping in Cyprus, due to the risk of the introduction and spread of a new, particularly dangerous mite, which could have serious consequences for bee populations. The Customs Department has issued a warning regarding the transport of bees and beekeeping equipment from the occupied territories, while industry experts emphasize the need for immediate action to prevent the spread of the parasite to beehives.
Speaking on the “Alpha News” program, the Customs Department’s press officer, George Konstantinou, stated that the relevant authorities were informed by the Pan-Cyprian Beekeepers’ Association about the risk of the Tropilaelaps mite being introduced, following its spread in Eastern Turkey. As he explained, there is concern that the parasite could be introduced into the free areas via live bees or beekeeping equipment from the occupied territories. He also reminded the public that the transport of bees, honey, honeycombs, and other animal products from the occupied territories is prohibited under the Green Line Regulation.
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Read more: “Do Not Bring Bees from the Occupied Areas”: SOS from the Customs Department Regarding a Serious Threat to Beekeeping
The small size of the bees poses a particular challenge during inspections, as, according to Mr. Konstantinou, they can even be transported in small containers. “They can be transported in small bottles, matchboxes, or anything that can carry them to essentially establish a hive,” he said, explaining that this applies even to queen bees or worker bees. As he noted, someone could carry such insects even in their pocket, a fact that makes it extremely difficult to detect them at border crossings.
He clarified, however, that so far no incident of live bees being transported from the occupied territories through the crossing points has been recorded, although cases of honey being transported have been detected in the past. The Customs Department has already sent a relevant circular to its officers, urging them to exercise increased caution. “Since there is a risk of this mite being transported, we felt it was appropriate—in addition to the circular we sent to our colleagues urging them to be particularly careful—to also inform the public,” he said, warning that the transport of bees or beekeeping equipment could pose an immediate threat to the beekeeping sector. He acknowledged, however, that it is not possible to prevent the natural movement of bees flying from the occupied to the free areas.
How the New Mite Threatens Beehives
Beekeeper and biologist Georgia Soseilou explained the serious consequences that the emergence of Tropilaelaps could bring on the same program, noting that bees in Cyprus are already facing significant problems from another mite, Varroa, which has long been a scourge of beekeeping. According to her, Tropilaelaps poses an additional and particularly serious threat, as its presence may not be detected in time. “This new threat, which is a new mite, is much more destructive inside the hives. It’s much more elusive; it doesn’t reveal itself. We’ll only see it once the hive has been completely destroyed,” he said. As he explained, the infestation may be linked to viruses that affect the bees, causing problems with the development of their wings, which prevents them from functioning normally and ultimately leads to the collapse of the hive’s population.
Ms. Soseilou provided an important clarification regarding the transmission of the parasite, making it clear that this particular mite is not transmitted through honey, but from bee to bee. As she explained, one of the risks lies in importing queen bees from areas where the parasite is present, since the queens are transported along with the worker bees that care for them, and these worker bees may carry the mite.
“The queen cannot survive on her own. She needs the worker bees. And they carry this mite with them. Then it will enter the hive and multiply,” he noted. He clarified, however, that he does not know whether such shipments are taking place from the occupied territories, pointing out that, to the best of his knowledge, beekeepers also source queen bees from European countries, such as Italy and France.
The biggest problem, according to the beekeeper, is that once the parasite enters a hive, there is a risk that it will spread to others as well, due to the natural movement and interaction of the bees. As she explained, drones and queens leave the hives during the reproduction process, which makes it difficult to limit the spread. “I can’t control the drones that are flying or the queens that will fly out to find drones. The drones come from all the hives,” he said, emphasizing that in Cyprus, due to the small size of the ecosystem, the actions of each beekeeper affect everyone else. “What one beekeeper does affects what their neighbor and everyone else in Cyprus will do. We are a very small ecosystem, and we must all work together to take action.”
What Beekeepers
Should Do Ms. Soseilou placed particular emphasis on the need for timely information and a coordinated response, stressing that transferring brood from one hive to another can accelerate the spread of the parasite once it has already appeared. As she explained, during the fall, beekeepers set up new hives to replace those they have lost. This process involves transferring brood, which may carry the mite. “If there is a chance that this brood contains the mite, that means I am directly spreading the infection,” he warned, emphasizing that beekeepers must be informed in a timely manner about appropriate management practices in the event the parasite is detected.
At the same time, he pointed out that control measures cannot rely exclusively on the use of pharmaceutical products, as mites have the ability to develop resistance. “Don’t think there’s a magic cure that will get rid of it. As we’ve seen with Varroa, it’s very easy for these mites to become resistant to whatever you use,” he said, while also expressing concern about the potential impact of the indiscriminate use of treatments on hive products. Instead, she placed particular emphasis on maintaining strong and healthy bees, implementing appropriate beekeeping practices, and protecting the natural environment by limiting pesticide exposure.
In conclusion, Ms. Soseilou emphasized that, should Tropilaelaps appear in Cyprus, combating it will require a collective effort and immediate cooperation among all beekeepers, as individual actions will not be sufficient to limit its spread.
