Burnett beekeepers have until Friday to contribute to a study exploring the pressures of disease and pest outbreaks in native stingless bee hives.
Researchers at Western Sydney University have extended the deadline for their online ‘Australian Stingless Bee Pest and Disease Survey’ to Friday 17 April.
Both hobbyist and commercial keepers of Australian stingless bees – including those who have never experiened disease or pest problems in their hives – are able to complete the survey.
WSU hope to use the results of the survey in their project ‘Supporting the health and expansion of the Australian stingless bee industry.’
“This study aims to build first comprehensive picture of pest and disease issues affecting stingless bees across Australia,” the survey brief reads.
Participating beekeepers can expect questions about the species and quantities of bees they manage, which diseases or pests they have dealt with, and what steps they have taken to work through or prevent outbreaks in their hives.
WSU’s researchers said it would take approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete the survey.
To take part, visit surveyswesternsydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bejKzTGu4lsKKBU.
