Carniolan Queen?

[Donovan J]

So i ordered a Italian bee package but i had a look at the queen for the first time today and it looks Carniolan. I'm not mad that it isn't Italian I'm fine with either. Am I right? Btw shes hugeeee and laying like a champ! I've watched many beekeeping videos and never seen one that big!

[BeeMaster2]

I would let the seller know what happened.
They can bee quite large. I moved a Nuc into a hive yesterday and found a really large queen. I caught her and then tried to put her into the queen marking cage and she took off. I?m pretty sure she will hind her new home by smell.
Jim Altmiller

[Donovan J]

I would let the seller know what happened.
They can bee quite large. I moved a Nuc into a hive yesterday and found a really large queen. I caught her and then tried to put her into the queen marking cage and she took off. I?m pretty sure she will hind her new home by smell.
Jim Altmiller

I'm fine with either type of bees. I probably would prefer the Carniolan over Italian because of the explosive brood production and excellent over wintering.

[Hethen57]

I received a package of Italians recently from Oliverez (through Mann Lake) and think I received a Carni queen as well.  She is jet black.  I had wanted to change my order to Carni anyway because I already have some Italians and there is a difference of opinion as to what works better in my area, so it didn't disappoint to get a chance to try Carni's here, but you are not alone. I think Carnis will probably do much better for you in the PNW, mine did great in North Idaho.

[Donovan J]

I received a package of Italians recently from Oliverez (through Mann Lake) and think I received a Carni queen as well.  She is jet black.  I had wanted to change my order to Carni anyway because I already have some Italians and there is a difference of opinion as to what works better in my area, so it didn't disappoint to get a chance to try Carni's here, but you are not alone. I think Carnis will probably do much better for you in the PNW, mine did great in North Idaho.

Yeah they do better in cooler climates. They're also prolific egg layers!

[Oldbeavo]

Having no experience with Carni's, how do you tell between Carni's and Caucasian's who also have black queens?
The queen in the photo looks like a Caucasian to me.

[Bushpilot]

I am not so sure that the genetic lines have been kept pure enough to where one can say without doubt that a partcular queen is a Carni or an Italian, especially based on color alone.

[Donovan J]

Having no experience with Carni's, how do you tell between Carni's and Caucasian's who also have black queens?
The queen in the photo looks like a Caucasian to me.

They are very similar but the people i got the bees from didn't even offer Caucasian so i'm positive that this is Carniolan. Cant be Italian because 'talians are more yellow than Carnies

[Donovan J]

I am not so sure that the genetic lines have been kept pure enough to where one can say without doubt that a partcular queen is a Carni or an Italian, especially based on color alone.

I looked at hatched brood from the queen and they are more grey that Italians would look. Carnies are called the "grey bee"

[Donovan J]

Having no experience with Carni's, how do you tell between Carni's and Caucasian's who also have black queens?
The queen in the photo looks like a Caucasian to me.

Also they have a bigger build up which i can tell in my last inspection there was a TON of eggs and brood

[Oldbeavo]

Good Italians have yellow / orange queens with yellow predominate bees.
We normally use Italians, but have tried some Caucasians with little success.
I think the success of a strain is dependant on the quality of each strain at your queen breeder. We have a BK who runs 600 hives and swears by Caucasians.
Good bees are good bees regardless of the colour, but Italian queens are easier to find.

[Donovan J]

Good Italians have yellow / orange queens with yellow predominate bees.
We normally use Italians, but have tried some Caucasians with little success.
I think the success of a strain is dependant on the quality of each strain at your queen breeder. We have a BK who runs 600 hives and swears by Caucasians.
Good bees are good bees regardless of the colour, but Italian queens are easier to find.

I've heard that they are. I've been trying to find the queen for a while now and just now found her.

[Michael Bush]

They are all mutts.  The best Italian queens, according to Brother Adam are the "Leather colored" ones, not the yellow ones.  Not all Italian bees are "yellow".

[Donovan J]

They are all mutts.  The best Italian queens, according to Brother Adam are the "Leather colored" ones, not the yellow ones.  Not all Italian bees are "yellow".

Ah I see. I'll have to wait and see what color the bees are

[van from Arkansas]

I received a package of Italians recently from Oliverez (through Mann Lake) and think I received a Carni queen as well.  She is jet black.  I had wanted to change my order to Carni anyway because I already have some Italians and there is a difference of opinion as to what works better in my area, so it didn't disappoint to get a chance to try Carni's here, but you are not alone. I think Carnis will probably do much better for you in the PNW, mine did great in North Idaho.

Hethen, I like the jet black queens.  I have one, but I really like this queen.  Easy to find.

[Cedar Hill]

    Have received New World Carniolan queens for many years from Olivarez.   Presently, they are painting the year's color on each without extra charge for small orders.    They do much better than the other races here in Massachusetts.   Over winter very well.   OMTCW   

[Donovan J]

    Have received New World Carniolan queens for many years from Olivarez.   Presently, they are painting the year's color on each without extra charge for small orders.    They do much better than the other races here in Massachusetts.   Over winter very well.   OMTCW

I can tell. My queen is a laying machine!