SRUC Beekeeping | Honey bee health: Key pests explained

Reportable pests affecting honey bees

A reportable pest in Scottish beekeeping is one that is required to be reported to the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team via BeeBase if you suspect it is present in your beehives.

: The varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a parasite that feeds on the fat bodies and haemolymph of honey bees. This weakens the bees and makes them more susceptible to other pests and diseases. As of March 2026, varroa is the only reportable pest in the UK.

Learn more about varroa.

Non-native species affecting honey bees

A non-native species is one that does not originate from the country where it is found. Non-native species have an adverse effect on wildlife and the environment.

: The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, previously known as the Asian hornet, is a non-native invasive species which has spread across mainland Europe and preys on pollinators, including honey bees.

Learn more about the Yellow-legged hornet

Notifiable pests affecting honey bees

All beekeepers in Scotland have a legal obligation to report any suspicion of a notifiable disease or pest to the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team via the Bees mailbox.

: More information coming soon. In the meantime, you can find useful information about small hive beetle in our education pages.
: More information coming soon. In the meantime, you can find useful information about Tropilaelaps in our education pages.

Non-notifiable pests affecting honey bees

A non-notifiable pest in Scottish beekeeping is one that is not required to be reported on BeeBase or to the Lead Bee Inspector.

: Info to come later
: Info to come later
: More information to come later.
: Info to come later

Scottish Beekeepers' Association

Supporting honey bees and beekeepers on Scotland

Learn more

BeeBase

BeeBase is the Animal and Plant Health Agency's (APHA) National Bee Unit website, designed for beekeepers and supporting Defra, Welsh Government, and Scotland's Bee Health Programmes.

Go to BeeBase

Honey bee health guidance

from Scottish Government

Go to site

Need advice?

If you need advice on your bees or beekeeping, feel free to get in touch with Lorraine Johnston, SRUC Bee Advisor for Scotland.

Email: Lorraine.Johnston@sruc.ac.uk
Phone: 077 95 91 92 09

Based at SRUC Barony Campus, Parkgate, Dumfries, DG1 3NE

Beekeeping best practice

Discover a wealth of beekeeping advice for both new and experienced beekeepers in Scotland.

Honey bee health: Key diseases explained

Learn more about diseases in Scottish beekeeping and if they are notifiable or non-notifiable.

Beekeeping education

Learn more about bees and beekeeping with our training library, blog, podcast, and other educational resources.

Beekeeping community

Explore Scotland's beekeeping community through beekeeping events, partnerships, businesses, and products.

Dandelion Project

With the aim of re-establishing Harvest as an event on the national calendar, Dandelion brought together community development, horticulture, live music, learning, sustainable thinking and innovative arts practice to support the people of Scotland to sow, grow and share together.

Plant sciences

Working towards achieving global food security by developing resilient crop and grassland systems.

Food systems

Generating knowledge and influencing policy for safer, more sustainable, and more productive agriculture that supports healthier diets and economic growth.