Italian Honey Bees: Here’s All You Need To Know About This Popular Bee Brand

Italian honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) are likely considered the most commercially distributed of all honey bees. They have earned a reputation as the most popular and sought-after bee breeds in apiculture. Renowned for their gentle demeanor, prolific honey production, and adaptability to various climates, Italian honey bees have distinctive characteristics and offer numerous advantages. In this blog, we’ll discuss the origin and history, distinct characteristics, and strengths and weaknesses of Italian honey bees.

Origin and History 

The Italian honey bee is native to the Italian peninsula, south of the Alps, and north of Sicily. Italian honey bees are proven to be adaptable to most climates, from subtropical to cool temperate, but are less likely to be successful in humid tropical regions. 

Italian honey bees originate from the Ligurain alps in northern Italy, are referred to as Ligurain bees, and are claimed to only survive on Kangaroo Island. Italian honey bees are recognized for their distinct characteristics and are thus preferred by beekeepers. Thomas White Woodbury, a noted beekeeper, introduced the Italian bee to Britain in 1859 and regarded it as superior to the Old British Black Bee. 

Distinctive Characteristics

• Appearance

Italian species of honey bee have a brown abdomen with yellowish-brown bands. The queens of the Italian honey bee have a particularly darker golden color. The difference in appearance makes it easier for beekeepers to identify the queen.

• Gentle nature

Just like Buckfast bees, Italian bees are a good option for beginner beekeepers. Italian beekeepers are easy to work with and are known for their gentle nature, which is best for people who are getting started in inspections and management practices. When compared to other breeds, Italian bees require less smoke. Italian beehives are relatively calm during re-queen, as the hive accepts the new queen quickly with less chance of being killed. This characteristic means more efficient beekeeping and Italian Bee Honey Production, as there is less wasted time waiting for the new queen to lay eggs.

• Prolific honey production

One of the primary requirements of beekeepers for Italian Honeybee in Australia is to place honey production at the top of their priority list. Italian bees are excellent foragers and successfully build large honeycombs that produce a lot of honey at harvest time. Italian bees successfully maintain a large colony over winter. However, if you live in a cooler climate, the hive needs a lot of pollen and honey to overwinter.

• Good Housekeeping 

Italian bees are excellent housekeepers and do a good job of keeping European foulbrood (EFB) out of the hive. European foulbrood (EFB) is a bacterial disease that affects the digestive tracts of honey bee larvae and causes serious losses in bee productivity. Italian bees are known for their resistance to this disease, which is why they are preferred over black bees. Beekeepers inspect for parasites like tracheal and varroa mites. These parasites use honey bees as a food source and also spread disease. Italian bees struggle to deal with mites and thus need treatments to keep mite levels down. 

• Tendency to swarm

Italian Species of Honey Bee are prone to swarming. Swarming is the process by which the queen leaves the old hive along with approximately one-half of the workers in that colony. Each time this happens, significant bees and honey are lost, causing a frost among beekeepers. This behavior typically happens during the spring buildup, when the colony expands rapidly, resulting in roughly half the bees moving to a new home. Beekeepers need to remain active for Italian bees, and regular inspections are critical during nectar flow to ensure the hive doesn't run out of space. 

Strengths and weaknesses 

Strengths 

• Shows a strong disposition for breeding and is a prolific producer of honey.

• Non-aggressive, making inspections less stressful.

• Are prolific queens that lay a lot of eggs quickly.

• Excellent foragers

• Superb comb builder 

• Covers honey with brilliant white cappings

• Resistance to foulbrood 

• Willingness to enter supers 

• Tendency to collect flower honey rather than honeydew

• Excellent at building out combs

• It is easy to spot the queen in the hive.
  

Weaknesses 

• Inclined to excessive brood-rearing

• Maintain a larger colony through winter.

• High consumption of stores 

• Tendency to drift and swarm

• Susceptible to mites and diseases

• For cool maritime regions 

• For areas with strong spring flow

Conclusion 

Italian honey bees stand as a cornerstone in apiculture, cherished for their gentle disposition and prolific honey production. Their adaptability, coupled with a knack for housekeeping, makes them a favorite among beekeepers. However, their tendency to swarm and susceptibility to certain diseases require vigilant management. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for successful beekeeping ventures.