The Ontario Beekeepers Association says OMAFRA inspectors recently reported the third sighting of Small Hive Beetle in the Niagara Region in the past three years.
But the OBA argues healthy honey bee colonies appear able to contend with fairly large populations of adult beetles with little effects.
It can cause excessive damage if colonies have already been stressed or weakened by other factors.
The beekeepers group is asking OMAFRA not to restrict movement of bees within the province because of the beetle.
Instead, the OBA proposes a comprehensive program of biosecurity practices to limit the impact of the beetle and prevent its spread from one location to another.
It also wants to take the lead in talking to beekeepers in Quebec and fruit growers in Quebec and the Maritimes to establish protocols for the safe movement of bees to pollination sites and back to their Ontario bee yards.
The Association says the provincial government should not consider depopulating infested hives without some means of compensating the affected beekeepers.
The OBA has set up a special section on it's website for updates and resources related to the Small Hive Beetle.
