Is this dark abdomen bee a certain strain? (picture)

[Hemlock]

Both hives are feral.  One hive has your standard black & yellow bee.  The other (pictured below) has an all dark abdomen.  I am wondering if that indicates any other particular strain of bee.  Bees in this dark-bee hive are strong, productive, & somewhat aggressive (HATE smoke)

The bottom bee is the dark one

[bailey]

LOOKS LIKE SOME OF MY SURVIVOR MUTTS!
bailey

[G3farms]

I have some like that too, not the whole hive but just a few scattered about in a single hive. And they sure do like to use propolis.


G3

[fermentedhiker]

Color alone isn't a good indicator of the subspecies or "strain" of bee you have.  The dark color is probably a good indicator that they have some Russian or Carniolan genetics in their background but I I would consider it conclusive proof.

[slaphead]

Looks like my old world carnolians. They tend to fly at lower temps than the Italians and are very gentle.  I'm guessing your black bees are a hybrid of several strains with genetics and behaviors that have allowed them to survive in your area.  For example the relative swarminess of Russians is believed to be one of the things that helps them to resist the varroa mites (no brood = no food for baby mites; new queen = brood production greater than mite production).  I wouldn't be surprised at all if aggressive behavior is also a survival trait.

You might want to try rubbing your hands with spearmint before working the hive.  Its an old trick that seems to work - no smoke required.

SH

[heaflaw]

From your description and the picture, I think they are the black (German) bees that were originally brought to the US.  I have had  some just like them for 10 years in some of my hives.  I'm fairly certain no beekeeper near me has Russians or Carniolians.  They are probably from feral colonies that were able to survive varroa or you have a neighbor who has a mix of black bees in their hives.   

[kedgel]

I just did a cutout from a lady's wall.  They were a mix of the usual Italian-looking bees with variations from black tipped abdomens to all black abs.  I think genetic variability within the colony produces a mix just like in people.  I have 5 kids that have blonde hair, one that got his grandaddy's black hair.

[Hemlock]

LOOKS LIKE SOME OF MY SURVIVOR MUTTS!
bailey

That's the first time I've heard the word 'Survivor' associated with bees.  I see that Michael Bush talks about them too.  I guess they are successfully acclimatized/naturalized feral bees.  Bees that may do best in a given local.  I wouldn't mind having those kind of bees.

Thanks.

[Hemlock]

they sure do like to use propolis.

I did see some nice looking propolis once in that hive this year.  I snapped a picture but lost it.  The propolis was thick & gooey but sealed everything quite nicely.

Thank you.

[Hemlock]

@ fermentedhiker,
That's why I asked.  I don't know if the color difference is significant or not.  Mixed genetics & variable traits seems to be on everyone's mind but not a single race.  I'll look up Russian and Carniolan bees to see what they're like.  I'm new to bees so I don't have a favorite yet.  Just happy to have bees period.
Thank you

@ slaphead,
These girls did not swarm until mid-June (which is OK since that Queen was down-right mean & evil) so maybe not Russians if I understood you right.  Definitely a mix though.  I'll try the Spearmint trick next time I work with her.  All year I've used both smoke & sugar spray at the same time with this hive.
Thanks

@ heaflaw,
I'll check out 'Black German' bees.  There are 3 other beeks within 2 miles of my bees.  I bet there is a lot of breeding back & forth in our area.  Which is a good for promoting traits that fit the locality.  I would think.
Thank you.

@ kedgel,
What's his grandaddy doin' with my Queen?? :-D  I'm trying to re-establish contact with the farmer who's hives I bought.  Among many questions will be when he re-queened last.  From what I've been told these hives have been on their own for years.
Thanks for the response