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Buckfast is a breed of bees, bred by crossing the genomes of the English, Macedonian, Greek, Egyptian and Anatolian (Turkey). The selection line continued for 50 years. The result was the Buckfast breed.
Breed description
In England, at the turn of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth century, the population of local bees was practically destroyed by the tracheal mite. In Devon at Buckfast Abbey, beekeeper Carl Carchre (Brother Adam) noted that a mixture of local bees with Italian ones had suffered an epidemic with partial losses. The monk began searching for genetic material in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. As a result of many years of work, he brought out a breed of bees with the same name of the abbey. The breed was distinguished by productivity, did not show aggressiveness, rarely swarmed, and had good immunity.
In beekeeping, the Buckfast bee breed takes priority in breeding. The only drawback of the variety is the poor tolerance of insects to low temperatures. For apiaries located in cold climates, this breed is not suitable.
Buckfast bee characteristic:
Areal | the original material of the bee has not been preserved in the wild, a few samples are kept in Germany at a specially equipped station, the purpose of which is to preserve the species of the English bee |
The weight | the average weight of a worker bee is within 120 mg, the mass of an unfertilized queen is about 195 g, ready for laying 215 g |
Appearance | slight hairiness mainly on the back of the backfast, the abdomen on the underside is smooth without a pile. The main background coloration is between brown and yellow, with clear stripes below the back. The wings are light, transparent, in the sun with a dark beige tint. Paws glossy black |
Proboscis size | medium length – 6,8 mm |
Behavior model | bees are not aggressive towards family members and others. When the lid is removed from the hive, they go deep into the depths, rarely attack. You can work with your family without camouflage clothing. |
Winter hardiness | this is the weak side of the breed, the bees cannot independently prepare the hive for wintering, additional insulation is needed from the beekeeper. |
honey collection process | The flora migration of Buckfast bees is high, they do not prefer one honey plant, they constantly fly from one species to another |
Egg laying level of queens | The uterus lays eggs constantly throughout the day, the average is about 2 thousand eggs. |
A distinctive feature of Buckfast from other varieties of bees lies in the structure of the body: it is flatter and elongated. The color is darker, yellow is present, the paws are black in other breeds they are brown. In the hive on the frame, the movements are slow, unhurried, activity is manifested when collecting nectar, so the breed is one of the most productive. It rarely stings, does not attack, calmly coexists with a person.
What do Buckfast queens look like?
In the photo, the Buckfast queen is much larger than worker bees, the aircraft is less developed. She has a lighter color, a long abdomen, light brown, yellow tint is much more than that of working individuals. A young unfertilized individual is able to fly out of the hive. In the process of reproduction, the uterus of the hive does not leave and does not rise up. Does not leave the frame until it is completely filled.
Laying continues throughout the year. Buckfast bee queen builds a nest only on the lower tiers of the hive, the nest is small and compact. The reproductive process continues throughout the day, the uterus lays up to 2 thousand eggs.
Getting a Buckfast queen bee from brood is quite difficult. Out of a thousand young individuals, about 20 will go for breeding with the preservation of the genetic characteristics of the Buckfast, and then with the condition that the drone will be thoroughbred. Therefore, the price offer for bee packages with buckfast is high. Breeding farms that breed this breed are located only in Germany.
Buckfast breed lines with description
Buckfast breed includes a number of varieties, which are much less than other breeds of bees. According to the external characteristics, the subspecies practically do not differ; they have a different functional purpose.
Breed lines:
- For breeding work, B24,25,26 are used. Insects have completely preserved the genetic features of the first representatives of the breed: productivity, lack of aggression, constant increase in the population. Both the female line (uterus) and the male line (drones) are suitable for selection.
- In breeding work with B252, only drones are used, in the process they correct the immune system, lay resistance against diseases in new offspring.
- Line B327 is not used to preserve the breed, these are neat working bees in which the hive is always clean, the combs are lined up in a straight line, the cells are carefully sealed. Of all the subspecies, these are the most peaceful representatives.
- For industrial purposes, the A199 and B204 are used, the distinguishing feature of which is long-range flights. Bees with high floromimigration fly out early in the morning, not paying attention to weather conditions. Family is strong, brood is grown by all adults.
- The subspecies P218 and P214 have a Far Eastern bee in the genotype. These are the strongest representatives in terms of immunity and productivity, but also the most aggressive.
- The German line B75 is used commercially for the formation of bee packages, it has all the characteristics of a buckfast.
All lines of backfast are united by: high reproduction, ability to work, early departures, calm behavior.
Distinctive characteristics of Buckfast bees
Buckfast bees differ from other breeds in a number of undeniable advantages:
- When working with bees, you do not need special equipment and camouflage clothing, insects calmly go deep into the hive, do not interfere with the work of the beekeeper, are not aggressive.
- The breed does not leave empty cells on the combs, they are rationally filled with honey and brood.
- Buckfast are neat, there is no excess propolis in the hives, debris from foundation. Honeycombs with honey are never placed near frames with children.
- Demanding on the purity of the breed, if the drones are outbred, the next generation will lose the characteristics inherent in Buckfasts.
- Buckfasts never swarm, they are distinguished by early departures, they feel comfortable in foggy wet weather, as close as possible to the climate of their historical homeland.
- The queens are highly reproductive.
- In many years of work, the breed’s immunity has been brought to perfection, individuals are immune to almost all infections, except for the Varroa mite.
Disadvantages of Buckfast bees
There are few shortcomings in the species, but they are quite serious. Bees do not tolerate low temperatures. Experimental breeding of Buckfast in the conditions of the northern climate, according to reviews, gave negative results. With good insulation, most of the family died. Therefore, the breed is not suitable for breeding in the north.
It is difficult to maintain the genetic purity of the species. The uterus fully lays eggs for two years. In the third year, the laying is significantly reduced, which means that the productivity of honey decreases. The old individual is replaced by a fertilized one. This is where the problems begin with the Buckfast breed. You can buy a genetically pure uterus only in Germany for a considerable amount.
Features of keeping bees Buckfast
According to beekeepers with many years of experience, the Buckfast bee breed requires special attention when keeping and breeding. For full productivity, insects need to create special conditions that take into account the distinctive features inherent in the Buckfast breed.
Bees create strong numerous families, they need a large space, the more space and free frames in the hive, the larger the clutch. As the family grows, the hives are replaced with more spacious ones, and new empty frames are constantly substituted.
It is impossible to correct the growth of the family, they are not divided, the brood is not removed, these actions will directly affect productivity. The swarm is strengthened, the buckfast bees are fed.
Wintering of Buckfast bees
When the temperature drops, the insects gather into a ball, they choose a place for wintering on empty combs, from which they emerged. The central part is freer, extremely dense. Individuals periodically change places. This measure is necessary for heating and food availability. Energy is needed by insects to raise the temperature in the hives to +300 C at the time of brood emergence.
This factor is taken into account before wintering; if necessary, the family is fed with syrup. Make sure the hive is well insulated. After wintering buckfast on the street, in spring at +120 C bees begin flying. If the wintering was successful, the hive will have frames with brood and the absence of nosematosis.
Conclusion
Buckfast is a breeding breed of bees with strong immunity against infectious and invasive infections. It is characterized by high productivity, non-aggressive behavior. The breed is used for the industrial production of honey.
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