Ligustic queen bees: origins and advice

Introduction to the Ligustica Queen Bee: Origins and Evolution

The Ligustica Queen Bees are an important indigenous bee species native to Liguria, Italy. They have been selected since the beginning of the 19th century for their vitality, high yields and their resistance to infectious diseases. Furthermore, they have physiological characteristics that make them more suitable for the Italian and European climate than other varieties.

Ligustic queen bees have gained greater resistance to parasites and infectious diseases over the years. Today this variety is considered one of the best in terms of quantity and quality of honey produced in Europe.

The breeding of Ligurian queen bees in Italy can be advantageous both from an economic and an ecological point of view since it allows the conservation of local biodiversity even in urban areas; however there are also cons: they need constant care and are less resistant than buckfast queen bees even if they have a more docile character and less propensity to swarm

Production quality of the Ligustica Queen Bee

Ligustica queen bees have been bred in Italy since time immemorial and it is possible to find traces of them in the historical finds present in our territory. They have high quality pollination, producing honey of excellent nutritional value and with medicinal properties appreciated all over the world.

Another important characteristic of Ligurian bees, which contributes to their productive capacity, is their resistance to difficult environmental conditions. They are absolutely suitable for the production of honey even in the most hostile and cold areas such as mountain ones.

Breeding of Ligurian Bees in Italy: Advantages and Disadvantages

The breeding of Ligurian bees in Italy has some advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the advantages: in the first place, Ligurian bees are particularly resistant to various diseases (even if they are less resistant than Buckfast they defend themselves well), an important factor for any worker bee; moreover, compared to other types of bees, they have a higher productivity, since their annual average is about 2-3 kg of honey per hive.

They produce a lot of pollen and royal jelly which can be used as food for bee families. Finally, these bees are docile enough to allow anyone to carry out interventions in the hive without problems.

On the other hand, there are also disadvantages: mainly they need the constant presence of the queen bee (this also requires regular care) and must be cared for carefully to avoid infestation with parasites or diseases. Furthermore, the breeding of ligustica bees takes more time than other types of bee farms and is more expensive than other breeds.

Tips for a Successful Breeding of Ligurian Bees

Raising queen ligustica bees can be a lucrative and very rewarding business. To achieve lasting success, however, it is important to follow a few tips to ensure the productivity of your farm.

First of all, consider the environment in which your Ligurian bee colonies will be located: make sure that there are enough blooms near the breeding place to provide enough nectar to the bees. If these are insufficient, it may be necessary to have an artificial supply with water fountains containing sugars or liquid honey.

It is also advisable to avoid areas with strong pesticides or air pollutants, as they can negatively affect the health of the colony. Another fundamental aspect is the adequate construction of the hives: they should be positioned on flat surfaces and exposed to direct sun only in the coolest hours of the morning or late afternoon;

Finally, periodically check the population levels of the colony

Final Considerations on the Breeding of Ligurian Bees in Italy

The breeding of Ligurian queen bees in Italy is a practice that is becoming increasingly popular. Ligurian bees are an excellent means of producing honey and other bee products, also offering the possibility of raising them in a sustainable way. Numerous studies have shown that ligustic queen bees are more resistant to disease than other varieties, with a high production potential. In conclusion, the breeding of Ligurian Queen Bees in Italy offers many opportunities and it is therefore possible to benefit from this practice if all the necessary precautions are taken.