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Nomadic beekeeper movements create the potential for widespread disease in the honeybee industry
Author(s) -
Gordon R,
BresolinSchott N,
East IJ
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12198
Subject(s) - beekeeping , geography , pollination , socioeconomics , agroforestry , biology , ecology , pollen , sociology
Objective To examine the nomadic movements of A ustralian beekeepers and determine their potential to assist the spread of pests and diseases. Methods A questionnaire was mailed to all beekeepers in A ustralia who maintained >100 hives, requesting information on the location of their home base, locations used throughout the year and the crops that the bees fed on in each location. The information was analysed using network analysis software and a geographic information system. Results Nomadic A ustralian beekeepers formed a connected network linking 288 locations from central Q ueensland to western V ictoria. A second, smaller network included 42 locations in south‐eastern South A ustralia. Almond orchards in R obinvale and B oundary B end and lucerne seed production in K eith were locations of major hive congregations driven by the opportunity to provide paid pollination services. In the 3 months after completion of almond pollination in A ugust 2008, movement of hives occurred from R obinvale and B oundary B end to 49 locations, ranging from south‐east Q ueensland to south‐west V ictoria. Discussion The movements identified in this study highlight the potential for rapid spread of disease or pests throughout the beekeeping industry should an incursion occur.