The destructive varroa mite has been discovered for the first time in Kempsey on the New South Wales mid-north coast. 

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has revealed that immediate measures are underway to combat the infestation.

Over the weekend, during a mandatory 16-week alcohol wash, a beekeeper in Kempsey reported detecting two varroa mites. 

“We were able to have our crews out there first thing Monday morning to check the apiary where, sadly, they did find another mite,” said deputy incident controller Shannon Mulholland.

The affected hives will be promptly destroyed to curb the spread of the infestation.

The source of the infection remains unclear as the beekeeper had not moved their hives recently. The DPI is collaborating closely with other apiarists in the region's eradication zone. 

NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has affirmed the government's commitment to eradicating the mite. 

However, this new detection has sparked renewed worries about the efficacy of containment efforts. 

Steve Fuller, President of the Crop Pollination Association of Australia, has expressed apprehension about the current strategy, asking; “How many trigger points are we going to break before we actually start talking about Plan B?”

As beekeepers face the harsh reality of euthanizing more hives, questions about the industry's future loom large. 

Despite the challenges, the NSW DPI says it is resolute in its belief that complete eradication is attainable. 

The latest case brings the tally of varroa mite detections to 202 since its initial identification last year.