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Introduction to the Ligurian Queen Bees

The ligustic queen bees , also known as Italian bees, are a variety of honey bees particularly suited to the Mediterranean climate. They are the bees preferred by beekeepers in Italy for their productivity and resistance to parasites. Ligustic queen bees have an average life of about 2-3 years, during which they produce large quantities of honey. These bees generally have a docile character. However, ligustic queen bees can have problems with Varroa destructor and other parasites, which is why these animals must be raised by professional beekeepers.

Bees have a defined social organization: any colony contains only one queen bee

Bees have been around for about 4 million years and have evolved over time to become the most important pollinating insects on Earth. All hives existing in nature are formed through a very precise and immutable structure. Within a colony there is a single queen bee , many worker bees and a part of drones (male bees).

Average life span of a bee

The average life span of a bee is 1,000 years. about six weeks. Although they can survive up to 8–9 months, most bees die before they get to this point. The life span of a bee also changes based on the breed. Ligustic bees tend to have a longer life expectancy. longer than buckfasts, with averages ranging between 10 and 12 months. There are numerous varieties; of resistant bees such as the Carniolana, the Buckfast, the Caucasica and the Australiana from which it can be possible; derive a greater benefit both in terms of resistance to parasites and in terms of the number of broods produced each year.

What propolis is, what it is used for and how is it produced by bees

propolis is a sticky, resinous substance that honey bees obtain from tree buds, sap and other plant sources. The word propolis derives from the Greek " pro - polis " which translated means "in front of the city" and in a metaphorical sense it takes on the meaning of defender, guardian. Propolis therefore means "protect" as a substance is used to seal the entrance to the hive and create shelter from intruders.

What is a Queen Bee?

The queen bee is the queen of the hive, and is essential for the existence of the colony. The queen bee is the only fertile female that is placed inside the hive and can live up to five years, although most queen bees are replaced every year. Her main function is to pollinate plants and produce a powerful substance called pheromone which keeps insects together in the hive. During the life cycle, the queen bee mates with some males (called drones) during a nuptial flight, then returns to the apiary to lay up to 1,500/2,000 eggs per day in specialized formations. Her death would mean the end of the entire hive, which is why farmers engaged in beekeeping often keep a close watch on their bees.

Bees are not aggressive animals but there are some situations where it is good to be careful. Here's what to do:

There are several situations in which swarms move around. During the swarming phase, for example, it could happen that we see a large number of bees take flight. If we were in this situation or near a group of bees that are swarming, we shouldn't worry.

Did you know that a queen bee can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day? Here is some interesting information

Queen bees are essential elements of any hive. The structure of any colony has a well-defined social organization. Each hive contains 3 elements: a single queen bee, the worker bees and the drones.

The worker bees are the largest part of a swarm and are also the ones who perform the main tasks of ensuring the survival of the colony. Drones on the other hand (male bees) have only a marginal role. The queen bee , on the other hand, is the only fertile female in the whole hive.

The body of bees evolves in three different forms: let's discover its development cycle

Bees are very complex and very interesting animals. The development cycle of a bee follows very specific processes that start even before laying an egg.

Bees are born from the eggs laid by the queen bee. Each egg is placed in a reserved cell. The development times of a bee vary according to sex and whether it is a queen bee or a worker bee or a drone. 

High temperatures and scarcity of water put a strain on hives during the summer

Extreme heat and drought have always been great enemies of bees. In recent years, bees have had to face great difficulties including pollution and the arrival of new predators.

Researchers have found that the number of bees has decreased significantly in the world in recent years and that this trend is continuing to grow. Surely the high temperatures this summer combined with long periods of drought are not improving the situation.

A healthy swarm can produce up to 50kg of honey per year

Each hive medially produces 20 to 50 kg of honey in one year. The exact quantity varies according to the type of honey, the number of bees, the blooms present in the area but also the strength of a swarm.

bees are social animals. Their coordination and collaboration work is able to guarantee food for all the components of the hive . The bees are therefore able to produce enough honey to feed tens of thousands of individuals.