Recent research highlights a concerning link between honeybees and the spread of myrtle rust, a fungal disease that poses a significant threat to New Zealand's native forests. Introduced from Central and South America, myrtle rust was first identified in New Zealand in 2017 and has since spread across much of the North Island and parts of the South Island and Chatham Islands. The disease targets plants in the myrtle family, including native species like pōhutukawa and rātā, as well as exotic varieties such as guava and eucalyptus. The study suggests that honeybees, while essential for pollination, may also be collecting myrtle rust spores as a nutritious food source, thus acting as carriers of the disease. Laboratory tests revealed that honeybee larvae thrive on myrtle rust spores, indicating that bees may intentionally gather these spores, increasing the likelihood of their spread. Furthermore, nearly half of the returning bees and stored pollen samples contained viable spores, suggesting that beehives could serve as reservoirs for the disease. This raises critical biosecurity concerns, particularly as beekeepers often relocate hives to follow flowering crops, potentially introducing myrtle rust into vulnerable native ecosystems. With myrtle rust already causing significant ecological damage in Australia, understanding its transmission through honeybees is vital to mitigate risks and protect New Zealand's unique flora.