Victor Croker and Dave Leemhuis struggled to keep their bees alive during winter so they developed a new insulated hive. It's proved so popular among beekeepers that 500 are now being shipped to the United States each week.
Some people think they're gross, but these little flies could be the key to crop security in Australia
As a parasite threatens Australia's bee population, flower flies could provide the nation with the support it needs.
Photo shows a fly on a flowerVarroa destructor mites have infested honey bee hives across NSW. No state wants to be next
The honey bee-killing parasite has spread across New South Wales. Now, other states and territories are potentially in the firing line.
Topic:Explainer
Photo shows Varroa mites on honey bee pupae.Could these hobby beekeepers find a solution to protect their bees from the dreaded varroa mite?
Fearing for their treasured bees, a couple of amateur organic beekeepers launch Varroa Warriors to combat confusion over treatment options.
Photo shows Two smiling woman wearing bee t-shirts.How to attract native bees to your garden and why you should
Whether you're interested in the sweet benefits of backyard beekeeping or making your home more appealing to solitary species of native bees, what can you do to attract them to your garden?
Photo shows A black fly-like insect, a stingless bee, pollinating the yellow stamen of a bright orange long-petalled flower.How to spot a native bee and what to do to help bolster populations. Here's what you need to know
Flowers, honey and plenty of produce: bees play a vital role in nature's ecosystem, and without them, we wouldn't have any of these things.
Photo shows A large bee with black and blue stripes.Almost a million bees poisoned by insecticide at hives in WA's far north
Broome beekeeper Ryan Leavitt is devastated — and thousands of dollars out of pocket — after 960,000 bees from his hives were poisoned with insecticide in a single night.
Photo shows Close up/macro shot of bees crawling over each other inside a hive.Almonds could be in short supply if varroa mite stops bee movements, growers warn
As almond growers and beekeepers prepare for the upcoming pollination season, industry experts warn ongoing restrictions on moving bees could cripple the harvest for another year.
Photo shows A man in a high vis shirt sits near a bee hiveBeekeepers urged to wash their bees after invasive parasite detected in Queensland
A variety of the highly destructive varroa mite has been detected in Brisbane. Movement restrictions have been imposed and keepers are being urged to test their bees for the parasite.
Photo shows A man in a long-sleeved shirt and pants lifts the top of a bee hive as he pours hot steam over bees.New parasite threat detected in NSW bees as the industry continues to deal with varroa mite
The wingless braula fly, which rides on bees before laying larvae that can damage honeycomb, has been found in bees near Tamworth.
Photo shows Two braula flies attached to the head of a bee.These little invaders have a tale of survival that could help save Australia's native bees
Too few to reproduce, a single Asian honey bee queen and her workers defied the odds to establish thousands of colonies. How they did it could help bring others back from the brink, but not without a cost.
Photo shows A close up photo of a single bee it's got a dark behind with thin light stripes through it a furry body and large dark eyesVarroa jacobsoni mite detected at the Port of Brisbane
A solitary specimen of Varroa jacobsoni, which is a different species to the pest plaguing New South Wales and Victoria, was found during a routine inspection of a sentinel hive in Brisbane.
Photo shows Varroa mites on honey bee pupae.'Not perfect' plan formed to slow bee parasite's spread across Australia
It has been nearly five months since Australia gave up trying to eradicate varroa mite, but a national plan is now locked in to slow its spread.
Photo shows a man wearing protective clothing holding a hive of beesBelieve it or not, swarms of bees are gentle. Watch this man show you why
Scott Whitaker shows no fear and films as he collects tens of thousands of "super gentle" bees during a bumper swarm season.
Photo shows A man looks towards a camera holding a branch full of bees. He isn't wearing protective clothing.Bulk honey imports started during the millennium drought. Now at near-record levels beekeepers aren't happy
Beekeepers say cheap foreign honey is pushing prices down to unsustainable levels but importers say they are providing options to value-conscious shoppers.
Photo shows Four jars of honey sitting on a benchMysterious bee deaths prompt beekeepers to get answers about the impact of fruit fly chemical sprays
Several beekeepers in South Australia's Riverland are calling for greater transparency on the potential harm of the state's fruit fly chemical sprays.
Photo shows A fair-skinned brunette woman, Kerry, kneels beside green and white hives in full sun.Anxiety high among NSW beekeepers as questions remain about a future with varroa mite
Beekeepers call for education and training as they make decisions about rebuilding their hives and living with varroa mite.
Photo shows Man holds up honeybee hive panel.Native bee knowledge gap frustrates researchers unwilling to work for free
Native bee researchers are travelling overseas and interstate to find work despite there being a sizeable knowledge gap about Australia's vast array of species.
Photo shows A close up of a bright yellow native beeBee swarms on the rise as weather warms, but impact of varroa mite predicted to reduce swarm frequency
A good spring and plenty of food have increased the number of bees looking to establish new colonies, but as the varroa mite moves through the region it could drastically reduce feral bee swarms.
Photo shows A close up for feral European honey bees.Researcher says feral bees face extinction as deadly mite spreads in swarms
The potential impacts of varroa mite on Australia are being realised as a feral bee die-off is predicted, potentially leading to increased production costs for farmers who relied on them for pollination.
Photo shows A close up for feral European honey bees.Beekeeper who lost hives to varroa mite and bushfire 'overwhelmed' by support from community
After varroa mite ruined his first hives and bushfire wrecked his second, NSW Mid North Coast beekeeper Glenn Locke has vowed he will "get going again".
Photo shows a darkened tree line dotted with fire rages before a firefighter facing the blaze