Can anyone identify these bees?

Started by Termite.sv, May 18, 2015, 05:16:57 AM

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Termite.sv

Hi all.
I am 16, and last year I got my first bee hive. All is  going well, but I've never been 100% certain what type of bee I have. I thought it was Apis mellifera ligustica. However today I was looking at the different sub species of Apis mellifera and am now having my doubts. Here are some pictures:

Thank you for any help.
(by the way, my location is Far North Queensland, Australia)
Smoke bees every day

Michael Bush

Most people would call those Italians.  Apis mellifera ligustica.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Termite.sv

What are the defining features of Apis Mellifera ligustica? How would you Identify them?
Smoke bees every day

Michael Bush

As far as looking at them, they are that color.  :)  As far as traits:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesraces.htm#italian
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

BeeMaster2

It looks like all of those bees in the picture are Itialian's. Most of my hives have a mixture of different colored bees. Mutts. If you find the same, that is good. The variety helps the hive survive.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Termite.sv

Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 19, 2015, 12:33:04 PM
It looks like all of those bees in the picture are Itialian's. Most of my hives have a mixture of different colored bees. Mutts. If you find the same, that is good. The variety helps the hive survive.
Jim


So you have different sub species of bees in same hives? How does that work?

Thanks for the reply.
Smoke bees every day

KeyLargoBees

Mutts are from a queen that has mated with different types of drones on her 15-20 mating flights...its sort of like genetic roulette as to which sperm she uses to fertilize the eggs of her "species" which creates a random selection of cross breeds. If the queen is raised commercially in a bee yard and all or most drones are of a certain species you get a homogeneous looking hive whereas if the queen has access to several different species of drones its a mix and match look.....benefits to both scenarios that the more experienced beeks can elaborate on.
Jeff Wingate

Changes in Latitudes...Changes in Attitudes....are Florida Keys bees more laid back than the rest of the country...only time will tell!!!
[email protected] https://www.facebook.com/piratehatapiary

BeeMaster2

It works pretty well for getting bees that can survive with no treatments of any kind. The workers have different genetics that help with hygienics. Some can handle the SHB's, some handle the mites. It helps.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Jim134

#8
Quote from: Termite.sv on May 18, 2015, 05:16:57 AM
Hi all.
I am 16, and last year I got my first bee hive. All is  going well, but I've never been 100% certain what type of bee I have. I thought it was Apis mellifera ligustica. However today I was looking at the different sub species of Apis mellifera and am now having my doubts. Here are some pictures:

Thank you for any help.
(by the way, my location is Far North Queensland, Australia)
Quote from: Michael Bush on May 18, 2015, 08:46:10 AM
Most people would call those Italians.  Apis mellifera ligustica.
Michael Bush
Can you tell Asian honey bee from Italian honey bees just by looking at them ?
Asian honey bees innovation species in Queensland, Australia
Asian honey bee (Apis cerana)

Do you know if the Asian honey  and the Italian honey bee honey bee can mate with each other ??

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive-species/insects-and-other-invertebrates/invasive-bees


      BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :smile:
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
        Chinese Proverb

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
John F. Kennedy
Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/