10-18-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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SUBSPECIES, OR RACES, OF HONEY BEES • The scientific name for honey bees found in the U.S. is Apis mellifera. Honey bees are not native to North and South America, but were brought to the New World by European settlers. The subspecies (or races) of Apis mellifera preferred by beekeepers in the U.S. are of European origin, hence the name "European bees."There are a variety of European subspecies; their characteristics are outlined below. The two primary subspecies available in the U.S. are derived from Italian and Carniolan stocks. Other subspecies of bees are grouped as Oriental (Near Eastern), and African. One of the African subspecies, Apis mellifera scutellata, has been given the misnomer of"killer bee."A brief explanation of this African subspecies is given below. EUROPEAN SUBSPECIES • Apis mellifera ligustica (Italian bees) originated in Italy. They generally have bright golden bands on the abdomen. They tend to be docile, and colony populations build up quickly in the spring. They are a popular bee for both hobby and large-scale beekeeping throughout the world, and when managed properly, can survive winter well in northern climates. • Apis mellifera carnica (Carniolan bees) originated in the Southeastern Europe area. They tend to be • gray or brown in color. They are popular with hobbyists because of their gentle disposition. They do not attain populations as large as colonies of Italian bees, but they winter well and develop quickly in spring. • Apis mellifera caucasica (Caucasian bees) originated in the high valley of the central Caucasus. Their appearance is similar to Carniolan bees. They are considered gentle but are slow to expand in the spring. They tend to collect large amounts of propolis. They are not commonly available in the U.S. • Apis mellifera mellifera (dark bees sometimes referred to as the "German black bees") originated in northern Europe and west-central Russia. They are large, dark colored bees. They tend to be nervous and defensive, but winter well in severe climates. Due to their poor performance in spring and early summer and their defensive nature, beekeepers in the U.S. have stopped importing them for commercial use. Many of the queens sold in the U.S. are a mix of the Italian and Carniolan subspecies: queens mate in the sky with 10-20 neighborhood drones of different lineages. This mixing is not a problem; in fact, the more genetically diverse the bees are within a colony, the better they are able to fight off diseases and pests and maintain an efficient division of labor. It is illegal to import queens and bees from other countries into the U.S. Some researchers have a permit to import bee semen from other countries under strict quarantine measures. These restrictions are biosecurity measures to slow the spread of exotic diseases and pests. • Beekeeping in Northern Climates 14