Contrary to popular opinion, in Australia, feral colonies of the invasive European honeybee are not “Wild”, threatened with extinction or “Good” for the Australian environment.
The truth is feral honeybees compete with native animals for food and habitat, disrupt native pollination systems and pose a serious biosecurity threat to our honey and pollination industries.
European honeybees turn feral when a managed hive produces a “Swarm”.
Feral honeybees have successfully invaded most land-based ecosystems across Australia, including woodlands, rainforests, mangrove-salt marsh, alpine and arid ecosystems.
Feral honeybees are now the most common visitors to many native flowering plants.
Improved management of feral honeybees would not only help to limit the biosecurity threat, but increase the availability of pollen and nectar for managed hives.
For too long, feral honeybees have had free reign over Australia’s natural environment.
Interesting that native plants don’t favour native bees over European bees. I planted all natives in my garden because I thought I was promoting growth of the native population!
Common misconception, I suppose.
I wish there was some viable control method we could set up at home.We found a male Cannabis plant in the bush and it was covered in stingless bees. Plant more weed?
