Breeds of bees

Before you start creating an apiary, you need to study the types of bees. This helps to choose the best option for yourself, taking into account the behavior of each species of insects. The classification of Hymenoptera makes it possible to predict the profitability of an apiary.

Variety of varieties of bees

The classification of bees includes two large groups – domesticated and wild insects. Wild bees live in natural conditions. Domestic bees are bred in order to obtain bee products for their further sale. There are about 2000 varieties of bees. They are divided into 4 large groups:

• melliferous;
• gigantic;
• dwarf;
• Indian.

When choosing a breed of bees for breeding, their predisposition to swarming, habitat and productivity are taken into account. The most common varieties of Hymenoptera include:

• gray Caucasian;
• Central ;
• Buckfast;
• carpathian;
• carnica.

Types and breeds of bees with photos and descriptions

Each variety of Hymenoptera requires specific breeding conditions. The endurance, working capacity and productivity of bees depend on belonging to one or another species. Some breeds are overly aggressive, others do not pose any danger to humans. External distinguishing features also depend on the type of bee. Photos with the names of insect breeds are posted below.

Himalayan

Himalayan hymenoptera are distinguished by a bright yellow-black color. They live in mountainous areas. The advantages of insects include peaceful nature and resistance to ticks. Harvesting is done by the local people of Nepal – the Gurungs. This process is called extreme beekeeping. Over time, it becomes less common due to the lack of security.

Himalayan bee honey has hallucinogenic properties. This is due to the fact that many rhododendrons grow in the highlands. Andromedotoxin, which is released by the plant during flowering, is considered a powerful poison. Getting into the human body in a small amount, it provokes the appearance of hallucinations. This honey is harvested in the spring. The autumn harvest contains a lot of useful substances, but does not cause hallucinations. Its useful properties include:

• strengthening the immune system;
• restoration of blood pressure;
• normalization of blood glucose levels;
• increase in potency.

leaf cutter bee

By physique and color, the leaf cutter bee is considered a close relative of the wasp. Body length ranges from 8 to 16 mm. A distinctive feature of the insect is the presence of a powerful jaw, with which the individual cuts pieces of leaves. Despite this, leaf cutters are not classified as predators. It feeds on flower nectar.

The leaf-cutter bee, the photo of which is presented below, is found in latitudes with a temperate climate. It has a short life cycle, during which it manages to pollinate only about 25 plants. The insect is not a pest. But it can spoil the appearance of ornamental plants. Fighting the leaf cutter bee is not recommended. If wild individuals have built a nest near a private garden or vegetable garden, you can simply move it to a safer distance.

Bashkir bee

The Bashkir or Burzyan variety is widespread in European countries. Her body is distinguished by a grayish tint without pronounced yellow stripes. The insect is very sensitive to climatic conditions, therefore it does not fly out of the hive in heat and cold. Under favorable conditions, a working individual can work for 17 hours. Among the advantages of the variety, wintering is distinguished by a strong family. The disadvantages of this breed include:

• aggressiveness;
• the difficulty of replacing the uterus with a new one;
• swarming tendency.

Caucasian breed of bees

The Caucasian bee tops the list of the most popular breeds. It lives mainly in the mountains. The advantages of this type of insects include a docile nature and diligence, a low tendency to swarm. Only 7% of families have a swarm instinct.

The main advantage is the high productivity of insects. The result is high quality honey. Bees of this breed are hard to endure wintering and have weak immunity. A photo of a Caucasian bee is posted below.

Gray mountain Caucasian bee

For a unique color, a Caucasian bee is called gray. Her body is completely devoid of yellow stripes. Such a bee is divided into several subspecies:

• Abkhazian;
• valley;
• Kakhetian;
• Imeretian;
• Megrelian.

This type of Hymenoptera does not tolerate transportation to places with an unsuitable climate. In winter, the probability of death of a Caucasian woman increases. In terms of productivity, the variety is not inferior to the Central breed. She is not at all aggressive, but will easily defend the interests of her family in the event of a threat of attack.

Italian

Italian individuals began their distribution from the Apennine Peninsula. In nature, there are gray, golden and three-lane representatives of the species. In beekeeping, breeding of golden subspecies is most often practiced. Their body is larger than that of Central bees. The length of the trunk is 6,4-6,7 mm. Insects are distinguished by a peaceful nature, despite which they effectively protect the hives from intruders. Representatives of the breed have a pronounced tendency to steal honey.

In the harsh climate, it is difficult for the Italian breed of bees to winter. Therefore, in winter, the family needs special care. In this case, bulk food supplies will be required. The most common diseases of the Italian bee include acarapidosis and nosematosis. The propensity to swarm in this species is average. Transportation has a negative impact on insects.

Asian bees

In Asian countries, a special population of honey bees has been bred. They differ significantly from the Hymenoptera common in Europe. There are more than 9000 species of Asian bees. A prominent representative is the giant Apis dorsata laboriosa. It is distinguished by its large size and dark abdomen, on which white stripes flaunt. They also have an additional pair of eyes located between the main ones. The breed builds its hives on sheer cliffs. The peculiarities of Asian individuals include a painful bite.

Ukrainian steppe bee

Representatives of the Ukrainian steppe breed are resistant to sudden changes in temperature, due to which they tolerate wintering well. They are cleanliness. In the hive of such bees there are never wax crumbs and debris. The bee family is at the peak of its strength, throughout the entire life cycle, regardless of external conditions. The risk of ascopherosis, nosematosis and brood diseases is minimal. The main advantages of the Ukrainian steppe bee include:

• excellent fertility of the uterus;
• low predisposition to swarming;
• frost resistance;
• disease resistance.

The disadvantages of the breed include selective pollination. Bees prefer plants with high sugar content. About 10% of bee colonies tend to swarm.

Don bee

The Don breed is distinguished by high productivity and fertility. Her body is covered with brown stripes. During the reproductive period, the uterus is able to lay about 3000 eggs per day. The family is considered prone to active swarming. Most often, working individuals collect nectar from yellow sweet clover, acacia and oregano.

Thai bees

Thai bees are distinguished by their peculiar appearance. The abdomen has a dark shade, there are no stripes on it. Compared to other types of bees, the wings of the representatives of the Thai breed are darker. The insect has a calm disposition and high performance. Bee products have a mild and delicate taste.

Abkhazian bee

The Abkhazian woman is common in the highlands of the Caucasus. Due to the location of the hives on the slopes of steep cliffs, it is called the stone bee. She is considered the least problematic in breeding. A distinctive feature of the breed is a long trunk. Due to the unique properties of bee honey, this species began to be cultivated in Western Europe and the USA. The productivity of working individuals is due to the early departure from the hive.

melipona bees

Melipons have an interesting feature – the complete absence of a sting. The protective function is performed by odorous liquids. Also, at the moment of danger, the bee bites the attacker with mandibles. Unlike other varieties of Hymenoptera, melipons do not have a clear division of labor in the family. They do not take care of the growing brood. The dwellings of melipons look more like bumblebee nests.

The most delicious honey is produced by melipons living on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. If earlier they were widespread, then recently the number of this species has significantly decreased.

Altai

A variety of Altai bees, the photo of which is given below, is considered very rare. Honey made in Altai is very popular due to its valuable properties. The practice of experienced beekeepers shows that the breed consumes food reserves very carefully and is highly productive. Altai Hymenoptera are vicious, but rarely infected with nosematosis.

Siberian bee

The most frost-resistant bees live in Siberia. They are valued for their high performance with resistance to various diseases. They are distinguished by their large size and strong immunity. The Siberian bee is considered vicious, but prolific. On the basis of this species, breeders plan to develop a new breed that could produce beekeeping products throughout the year.

Prioksky breed of bees

The Priokskaya bee is a relative of representatives of the gray mountain Caucasian species of insects. It has a gray color with characteristic yellow stripes. The length of the proboscis is 6-7 mm. Peak oviposition occurs in the first half of June. The positive features of these bees include:

• brood is 15% higher than the average family;
• increased breed resistance to nosematosis;
• minimal tendency to swarm;
• early development in the spring.

The disadvantage of the breed lies in attachment to a particular area. Representatives of this species successfully exist in the Ryazan and Tula regions. Breeding in other regions negatively affects their productivity.

Japanese bees

The Japanese bee resembles a hornet in its appearance. A distinctive feature of the insect is its impressive size. The body length reaches 4 cm, and the wingspan is 6 cm. Giant hornets look intimidating. Their bite is deadly and is considered very painful.

The chest and abdomen of the insect are distinguished by a bright orange color. The back of the body is lined with brown stripes. The dwelling of a representative of this breed resembles a wasp’s nest. Hornets feed their larvae exclusively on meat. Japanese bees are not used for breeding. Moreover, they pose a threat to the working hive of bees.

mason bee

The stonemason got its name because of the use of small grains of sand and stones in the construction of its dwelling. Outwardly, such an individual differs from other Hymenoptera in a blue-green abdomen with a metallic sheen. The mason is considered a productive pollinator. She flies out of the hive in search of nectar, even in inclement weather.

Far Eastern

The Far Eastern breed is common in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories. The color of the breed varies from gray to gray-yellow shades. The length of the trunk is 6,5 mm. This species is considered friendly and productive. Representatives of this breed prefer to collect nectar from linden.

The advantages of individuals of this type include easy tolerance of wintering and resistance to diseases. The main disadvantages are:

• long construction of honeycombs;
• high tendency to swarm;
• insufficient wax performance.

American

The American variety is considered a hybrid, which spread in Africa and then in Brazil. It is characterized by high endurance and aggressiveness. Due to the frequent cases of swarm attacks on animals, they were nicknamed killer bees. The breed produces 2 times more honey than other varieties of bees.

dwarf bees

The dwarf breed is one of the smallest varieties of bees. Its body length is 2 mm. Dwarf insects pollinate mainly flowers. Unlike representatives of other breeds, the dwarf bee works alone. The breed builds its nest in sandy soil. In beekeeping, this type is practically not used.

Bee-sherstobit

Sherstobit is considered a large individual. Her body length is 13 mm. There is a black spot on the back of the head, and a yellow spot on the front. A unique feature of the species lies in the unusual approach to building housing. As a material for building a nest, the breed uses various reeds, shells, etc. Wool beater honeycombs are built from vegetable fluff.

German breed of bees

German bees are also called black bees. They are distinguished by the presence of a thick layer of yellow fluff. The advantages of the breed include a calm disposition and strong immunity. Working individuals are hardy in relation to low temperatures, but do not tolerate smoke. But in beekeeping they are used extremely rarely due to susceptibility to rot and high aggressiveness.

cuckoo bee

The cuckoo bee lives in Australia and southeast Asia. It is distinguished by a specific black and blue color. They are not used in beekeeping, as the breed is slow and inefficient. Insects of this species do not build their nests. They throw the larvae into the nests of the representatives of the Amegilla breed.

giant bee

Giant breed insects live in the wild. They build their hives in trees or in rock crevices. The body of an adult individual reaches 16-18 mm in length. The color of the insect is yellowish. It is extremely difficult to domesticate such a variety, since it reacts aggressively to any interference in its work. It is advisable to avoid meeting with such an individual for security reasons.

The most dangerous bees

Some species of Hymenoptera are deadly to humans. This is due to the high toxicity of their poison. In addition, some breeds are able to sting for no reason, several times. The best defense is to avoid places where they congregate. The most dangerous types include:

• Africanized killer bee;
• tiger bee.

How to determine the breed of bees

Outwardly, all breeds of bees are similar to each other. But an experienced beekeeper can easily distinguish one species from another. The following parameters are used as a guideline:

• average size of an individual;
• climatic living conditions;
• color;
• degree of productivity;
• swarming tendency;
• aggressiveness.

First of all, pay attention to the appearance of Hymenoptera. The structure of the pattern and color in each case is different. In some breeds, a characteristic feature is the color of the wings and the size of the body. The behavior of the insect is considered an indirect classification criterion.

How to distinguish what breed of queen bee

The queen bee is the leader of the bee family. She is responsible for reproductive functions. Its distinguishing feature is the large body size and low mobility. The queen flies out of the hive only for the purpose of mating with drones or during the swarming period. Each breed of Hymenoptera has a different uterus. Its color will be the same as that of other individuals of the family.

How to choose a breed

When choosing a breed for breeding, several factors must be considered. The quantity and quality of the crop depends on the correct choice. Experts recommend paying attention to the following criteria:

• performance level;
• volumes of processed wax;
• immune protection;
• resistance to climatic conditions;
• character of bees.

First of all, beekeepers try to evaluate the performance and resistance of hymenoptera to diseases. Based on these data, the principle of caring for the family will be selected. Their character is also important. The degree of complexity of performing work in the apiary depends on their aggressiveness. In some cases, they turn a blind eye to aggressiveness if the variety is highly efficient.

How to change the breed of bees in the apiary

The process of replacing the breed in the apiary is not accompanied by particular difficulties. Since the uterus is engaged in offspring, it will be enough only to replace it. By mating with local drones, she will reproduce a cross between the two breeds. But to reproduce the next generation of drones, the DNA of local representatives of Hymenoptera is not required, since drones come from unfertilized larvae. Therefore, a complete change of breed will occur approximately 40 days after the placement of a new queen. The first representatives of the new species will appear in the hive in 20 days.

In the first year of active breeding, new queens will be bred, which can be planted in other hives. When replanting, it should be taken into account that by autumn new queens should be present in the bee dwelling. The old breed affects the new exclusively in a positive way. The gradual change from one species to another accelerates the adaptability of the family to new conditions. The correct change of breed will help reduce the cost of caring for the bee family and increase its productivity.

Conclusion

The types of bees need to be studied if it is planned to select the most suitable breed for breeding. The profitability of the apiary depends on the correct choice. Wrong selection leads to the inevitable death of the bee family.