Scientists have built a digital camera inspired by the compound eyes of insects like bees and flies. Images: University of Illinois and Beckman Institute

FERAL bees have been all but wiped out in South Australia, putting the state’s agricultural industry at risk.

The state now depends on about 60 beekeepers for domestic bees to pollinate crops after the feral population was hit hard by the Bangor and Ngarkat bushfires, among others.

SA apiarist Leigh Duffield, who gave evidence to a Senate inquiry into the future of beekeeping, said bees in those areas were basically burnt out, and their feeding grounds destroyed.

“No bees, no food,” he said.

“About two-thirds of the food produced in Australia is dependent on pollination. For apples, pears, lucerne, almonds, it’s about 90 per cent.

“The whole community, the health of the whole community, is now very dependent on the wellbeing of about 60 commercial apiarists in Australia. We only generate $12 million from honey, but our add-on benefit is about half a billion.”

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Bees are now at risk from pests, diseases, chemicals, and climate change.

The SA Apiarists’ Association warns that the government needs to protect bees and their environment and be prepared to eradicate any exotic pests that threaten their wellbeing.

They spoke at the public hearing in Murray Bridge as part of the inquiry into the future of the beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia.

The CSIRO has told the committee that the Asian honey bee is one of the biosecurity threats to the industry, and that Australia needs to prepare for the devastating impact if the Varroa destructor mite gets in. They pointed to “colony collapse disorder” which has wiped out up to a quarter of the US honey bee population.

“The disorder is characterised by the sudden disappearance of the worker bee population from a single bee colony followed by rapid collapse and death of the colony,” they wrote.

“To date the cause remains undetermined, but it is increasingly likely that CCD is the consequence of the interaction between multiple stressors including Varroa.

“As a consequence it is not possible to assess the level of threat posed to the beekeeping industry in Australia, but it would seem reasonable to project that should Varroa establish in Australia and reliance on managed pollination substantially increases, then CCD will become an increasingly important issue.”

Varroa is likely to infest Australia through hives carried on international ships.

SA Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said bees were necessary for Australia’s food production.

Senator Xenophon wants shipping companies to get rid of beehives before they arrive in Australia and for Australia to follow Europe’s lead in banning some insecticides and herbicides on crops.

“The cost of failure is huge,” he said.

“The potential damage to Australian agriculture could run into the billions if there’s a biosecurity breach of a Varroa infestation.”