Below is the scientific classification of the western honey bee as it now stands:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Uniramia
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Suborder: Apocrita
- Superfamily: Apoidea
- Family: Apidae
- Subfamily: Apinae
- Tribe: Apini
- Genus: Apis
- Subgenus: Apis
- Species: A. mellifera
Subspecies: A. m. carnica (Carniolan)
Subspecies: A. m. caucasica (Caucasian)
Subspecies: A. m. ligustica (Italian)
Subspecies: A. m. mellifera (European dark)
I’ve listed the subspecies most often kept for commercial purposes, all four of which originated in Europe. However, there are many, many subspecies of Apis mellifera native to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Two that frequently make the news are A. m. scutellata, the African honey bee, and A. m. capensis, the cape honey bee also from Africa.
The subspecies are confusing and difficult to distinguish, partly due to the fact that mankind has been manipulating honey bee populations throughout human history. There are many crosses, lines, and strains with their own names, but which freely cross with other Apis mellifera bees. Examples of such lines are the Buckfast (a cross between European dark and Italian bees) and the Russian (a strain of Carniolan bees).
In recent times, the Caucasian bee has fallen out of favor because of its excessive (by human standards) use of propolis in the hive. The European black bee is known for stinging without provocation and so is less often kept than it used to be. Historically, the different subspecies and lines were evaluated for honey production and overwintering ability. Now, however, these different genetic pools are being evaluated for their ability to withstand diseases, parasites, and other environmental stressors. Every last strain is important because it may contain a gene that will save the species.
Rusty
Recent Comments