Characteristics of Races of Honeybees

Italian Bees

• Probably the most common race of honeybees in this area.
• Colonies are usually large and winter well.
• Very good honey producers.
• Usually gentle and non-aggressive.
• Swarming instinct is not especially strong.
• Minimum propolis.
• Keep a clean hive and are quick to get rid of the wax moth.
• Queens lay all through the summer, so a large amount of stores are used for brood rearing.
• Italian bees have a strong tendency to rob.
• Yellow coloring with bands on the abdomen.

Caucasian Bees

• Very gentle bees.
• Do not swarm excessively.
• Brood buildup is later in the spring.
• A good honey producer, not exceptional.
• Caucasians produce and use a good deal of propolis.
• Brown in color.

Carniolan Bees

• A very gentle race of bees.
• Probably the best wintering bees.
• Little use of propolis.
• Builds up very rapidly in the spring.
• Summer brood rearing depends on pollen and nectar flow.
• Usually not inclined to rob.
• These bees tend to swarm more. Probably due to rapid spring build up.
• Not as productive as Italians.

Buckfast Bees

• Developed by brother Adam at Buckfast Abbey, Devon, England.
• Very rapid spring build up.
• Very gentle bees.
• Low tendency to swarm.
• Low consumption of winter stores.
• Well adapted to areas with damp cold winters.
• Excellent honey producers.
• Inclined to rob.