Honeybee "Breeds:" Subspecies of Apis melifera

While many people think of honeybees as a single, uniform species, there are actually several subspecies of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), each with its own traits, behaviors, and advantages. Let's take a look! 

The western honeybee has evolved into numerous subspecies across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. These subspecies developed unique adaptations to their local environments, influencing everything from temperament to disease resistance. Some well-known subspecies include Carniolan, Caucasian, German (black bee), Italian, and Russian honeybees!

What subspecies do we use in the U.S.?

While each has its merits, modern beekeeping in North America largely centers around Italian and Russian bees due to their availability and performance in managed hives. Both have their pros and cons, and most hives have a mix of Italian and Russian genetics.

Italian Bees 

Russian Bees

What genetics are the bees at Champlain Valley Apiaries?

Here at CVA, we're in a very unique position. We've been keeping bees in the Champlain Valley for almost 100 years, mostly splitting our hives and preserving our genetics. Our bees are also a mix of Russian and Italian genetics, but we have a very unique gene pool in our bees that are excellently suited to survive our Vermont climate! We notice if we buy in bees from the south, they have significantly lower survival rates over the winter compared to our beehives that have been living in Vermont for decades. They are just better prepared and understand the climate well. 😊🐝🍁