Tutin Contamination of Honey

Tutin toxicity in honey results from honey bees gathering honeydew exudate from the sap-sucking insect commonly known as the passion vine hopper, when these vine hoppers have been feeding on the sap of tutu (Coriaria arborea) bushes. Toxic honey is a rare event and is more likely to occur when comb honey is eaten directly from a hive that has been harvesting honeydew from passion vine hoppers feeding on tutu plants.

There are a number of control measures beekeepers need to be aware of that are described in the Information Pamphlet.

Analytical laboratories are providing Tutin testing of honey samples services.

Photos of Tutu with Passion Vine Hoppers (Scolypopa asutralis) provided by Fiona O'Brien.