The Ligustic Queen Bees: the queens of Italy

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.

The Characteristics of the Ligurian Queen Bees

Ligustica queen bees are one of the main species of Italian bees, appreciated by beekeepers for their resistance and productivity. Their coloration is typically dark with shades of brown, gray and black. The head and wings are darker than the rest of the body. They have an excellent ability to collect nectar even from less abundant blooms. They live up to two years and produce honey strictly from spring to autumn. Ligustic queens are not easily subjected to any form of swarming, as they generally have a good maternal instinct that prevents this eventuality. They are particularly resistant to disease and can tolerate lower temperatures than other bee species. They also possess extreme skills in finding food; these properties make the queens of Liguria ideal for the local production of honey without the direct impact of man on the surrounding ecosystem.

Why the Ligurian Queen Bees are Appreciated by Italian Beekeepers

Ligustica queen bees are one of the most appreciated species by Italian beekeepers for various reasons. First of all, they are a species quite resistant and adaptable to different climates, including the Italian ones. They are also very productive and produce excellent quality honey. Ligustic queen bees have a quite long life cycle (about 3 years) and can only be subject to swarming if they are not managed correctly or if they do not have sufficiently large spaces to guarantee their survival. Their great resistance makes the Ligurian queens ideal for the production of honeys with intensified aromas and very rich fragrances typical of the Liguria region in Italy.

The Lifespan of Ligustica Queen Bees

Ligustica queen bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) are a breed of bees that originated in Italy and which quickly spread throughout the world. These bees live longer than other species, with an average life expectancy of around five years. However, their duration varies according to the environment, climatic conditions and the availability of food. As adults, their behavior becomes more aggressive and demanding. Additionally, they have to survive the winter cold without eating for long periods of time. The production of honey is another important activity to keep in mind in the life of the Ligurian queen bees since the beekeepers must collect most of the honey from the queen bees for economic and production reasons. In fact, queen bees have the ability to forage on a large scale and also have the ability to swarm, i.e. periodically dividing into small families and moving to different locations where they produce honey throughout the summer season.

Production of Honey and Swarming of Ligurian Queen Bees

The Ligustic queen bees are a species of bee that has evolved in a particular way to adapt to the Italian environmental conditions. Ligustica queen bees are prized by Italian beekeepers for their ability to produce high quantities of honey with a delicious flavour. These bees also have a high cold tolerance, so they can withstand lower temperatures than other species. In addition, ligustic queen bees are not prone to swarming like many other bee varieties, which makes their hives much more stable and increases honey production. Thanks to all these characteristics, Ligustica queen bees have become the type of bee preferred by beekeepers in Italy.