Which bees to choose: beware of the Varroa destructor

The questions that new beekeepers ask us are increasingly frequent. What is the best breed of bee to keep? what is varroa?

There is no precise answer to the first question. For beekeepers, the choice of which breed of bee to keep depends on their needs and preferences. For example, some breeds are more resistant to disease, while others are more productive.

The factors to be evaluated, such as the characteristics of the individual breeds, more or less resistant, more or less productive, longer-lived, mean that for each new beekeeper there is one or more suitable breeds available for his breeding. In general, it would be advisable to talk to local experts or participate in training courses to understand which breeds of bees are best suited to your area and to acquire the necessary skills for keeping bees. Not to be overlooked, a fundamental aspect: the climate.

Let's go into detail with some considerations with the three most bred types of bees in Italy:

The Buckfast Queen Bee

The Buckfast queen bee is a breed of bee developed by Buckfast Abbey, England in the early 20th century. It was created by crossing different breeds of bees, including the Carnic bee, the ligustica bee and the honey bee, to obtain a breed that combined the best characteristics of the various breeds.

Pros and Cons

Buckfast bees are known for their productivity, tendency to build large combs, resistance to disease, and docility. They are also considered to be one of the most resistant breeds to varroa, a common bee parasite.

It is important to note that keeping Buckfast bees requires good skill and knowledge of beekeeping and crossing techniques. Furthermore, as with any breed, the suitability depends on the environmental conditions and the needs of the beekeepers.

The Ligustica queen bee

The Ligustica queen bee, also called Apis Mellifera Ligustica, is a breed of bees native to northern Italy, from Liguria in particular. It is one of the most widespread breeds in Europe and widely used for breeding.

Pros and Cons

Ligustica bees are known for their productivity, tendency to build large combs and good resistance to disease. They are also considered one of the most docile and easy to manage breeds. These are breeds that adapt well to the climate Mediterranean and are particularly suitable for the production of honey.

However, as with any breed, the suitability depends on the environmental conditions and the needs of the beekeepers. In general, it is important to consider the specific characteristics of a bee breed before choosing it for breeding.

The Carnian queen bee

The Carnic queen bee, also called Apis Mellifera Carnica, is a breed of bee native to the Alps, in particular to Carnia in Italy and Slovenia. It is one of the most widespread breeds in Europe and widely used for breeding.

Carnic bees are known for their resistance to disease, their ability to adapt to difficult climatic conditions and their productivity. They are considered to be one of the most resistant breeds to varroa, a common bee parasite. Furthermore, they are breeds that adapt well to the mountain climate and cold temperatures.

In general, the Carnic bee is considered one of the most suitable breeds for breeding, both for its resistance to diseases and for its productivity.

Varroa: the enemy of bees and the nightmare of new beekeepers

The Varroa destructor parasite, commonly known as varroa, is a mite that feeds on the blood of bees. This parasite attaches itself to adult bees and larvae, sucking their blood and causing significant damage to bee colonies.

Varroa reproduces inside the cells of worker bees and larvae, depositing its eggs inside the cell. The eggs hatch in a few days and the tiny mites feed on the blood of the bees.

The consequences of varroa:

• Weakening of bees and increased mortality rate
• Reduced colony productivity
• Difficulties in the reproduction of queen bees
• Transmission of diseases among bees

How to fight varroa:

• Chemical treatments, such as the use of acaricides (in moderation as it causes problems for bees and the environment, only if strictly necessary)
• Physical techniques, such as manual removal of mites
• Natural techniques, such as using disease-resistant bees or using bees genetically selected to resist varroa.