Australia on Wednesday abandoned its fight to eradicate the destructive Varroa mite, an invasive parasite responsible for the collapse of honeybee populations across the planet.

“The recent spike in new detections have made it clear that the Varroa mite infestation is more widespread and has also been present for longer than first thought,” officials said in a statement.

Smaller than a peppercorn, Varroa mites attach themselves to honeybees and slowly feast on their body tissue from the outside-eventually spreading through hives and causing colony collapse.

Australian National University ecologist Saul Cunningham said the Varroa infestation would also damage agricultural industries reliant on pollination.

“Varroa mite will cause significant economic damage in agriculture, and so it is vital that we focus on adaptation to life with Varroa,” Cunningham said.

Australia’s native honeybees have proven resilient to Varroa mites but do not currently play a major role in honey production or agricultural pollination.