What Queens (bee sub species) do you use?

squidink · October 10, 2012, 06:15:43 AM

Hi,

Out of interest what Subspecies of Queens do you use and why? Do you just stick with the Italians?

I have just set up another 15 hives with various sub species of queens,Ligurian's from Kangaroo island, more Italians, Carniolan's (whats in the photo they arrived today) and Im sourcing some caucasians.

I will be interested first hand to see how they behave both inside and outside the hive and in Melbourne's climate.

Ben

prestonpaul · October 10, 2012, 06:59:17 PM

I bought in an Italian queen last year, and that hive over wintered worst of all my hives, used all their stores and were on their last legs when I did my first inspection after winter. I am feeding them now, but still not 100% sure they will make it. I think it is because they did not wind down brood production over winter which would be fine in a warmer climate but not so good in the Otways :'(
I am going to give some Carniolans a try next, supposed to be good over winter-ers and nice calm bees.
Paul.

bigsting · October 11, 2012, 11:58:25 AM

i just us swarm cell from my best over winter hives to make my nucs because they are well adapted to my climate

bernsad · October 11, 2012, 06:51:39 PM

I have Diamond Valley Mutts.

Jim134 · October 11, 2012, 07:17:57 PM

Quote from: bigsting on October 11, 2012, 11:58:25 AM
i just us swarm cell from my best over winter hives to make my nucs because they are well adapted to my climate

X:X X:X X:X

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

prestonpaul · October 14, 2012, 05:36:50 AM

Who'd you buy the Carniolans from?

bigsting · October 14, 2012, 06:16:50 AM

australian queen bee line 0263604113 is one i know off

squidink · October 14, 2012, 06:50:42 AM

Thats where i bought them from Paul;.
Ben

100 TD · October 21, 2012, 09:27:32 AM

Quote from: squidink on October 10, 2012, 06:15:43 AM
Hi,

Out of interest what Subspecies of Queens do you use and why? Do you just stick with the Italians?

I have just set up another 15 hives with various sub species of queens,Ligurian's from Kangaroo island, more Italians, Carniolan's (whats in the photo they arrived today) and Im sourcing some caucasians.

I will be interested first hand to see how they behave both inside and outside the hive and in Melbourne's climate.

Ben

I use mutts caught in swarms then graft from them to split.
Don't buy more Italians, Ligurian's are Italians