This discovery marks a significant milestone in the beekeeping industry in Victoria and across Australia. **Key Points:**

* **Detection of Varroa Mite:** The Varroa mite, a parasitic mite that infects honey bees, has been detected for the first time in Victoria. * **Location:** The detection was made at a property in Nangiloc near Mildura.

A team of 12 Varroa development officers has been recruited in Victoria under the National Varroa Mite Response Plan to provide guidance to beekeepers on how to manage varroa mite and appropriately utilise the chemical control options available. Varroa management training workshops are also occurring across Victoria for both commercial and recreational beekeepers which cover monitoring and threshold surveillance actions, integrated pest management techniques, record-keeping, and chemical treatments, including organic options. Agriculture Victoria has urged all beekeepers in Victoria to check their hives and record their inspections, mite testing results and hive movements in BeeMax.