Bee Color

[Gware]

Does bee color mean anything? I bought a hive and the guy told me that they were a mix between Italian and German Black Bee that he has had this mix for years. Some bees are totally black almost. What is everyones take on this. I would like to say they seem to do very well the hives I got are very strong. i did buy another hive but these bees I bought that were the mix (so he calls them) grew circles above the other bees as some has reported that bought some from him also.

[JP]

Sounds like feral bees with the occasional mutt thrown in for good measure. A lot of mine are like that. To me its just a sign of a feral colony.


...JP

[BjornBee]

Sure wish I could tell the difference between a carni, a dark russian, and these dang German black bees that seem to keep popping up everytime someone has something to sell..... :pinkelephant:  I suppose next I'll be seeing pink elephants and.... :flyingpig:  I see dark bees all the time. I know many beekeepers who have black bees. But put them black bees in a tree or allow someone to catch a swarm of them, and PRESTO!...we have German black bees.

[Gware]

well if you see any of those pink elephants get a picture for us!!