Bee breeds are the sum of hereditary, morphological, and behavioral qualities that honey bees have developed over thousands of years of evolution by adapting to the climate conditions, vegetation, and altitude characteristics of the geographical region they inhabit. This natural differentiation is the most fundamental factor directly affecting efficiency, overwintering ability, and colony health in beekeeping activities.
What Are the Types of Bees and Classification
The answer to the question what are the types of bees, which occupies the minds of those interested in beekeeping, is actually based on a classification system determined by the physical structures of the bees and the geographies they originate from. This classification covers many criteria, from the bee’s tongue length to wing vein structure, and from aggression levels to overwintering skills.
How Many Species of Bees Are There?
In scientific literature, the question how many species of bees are there can be answered with tens of thousands of different species; however, the species that has economic value and produces honey is Apis mellifera. Species such as the bumblebee, which are frequently seen in nature and are of vital importance for pollination, do not fall into the class of commercial honey beekeeping because they do not possess honey stocking behavior. Honey bees are distinguished from other wild bees by their social lives and instincts to store food for winter.
How Many Types of Bee Breeds Are There?
Although the subject of how many types of bee breeds are there defined globally is controversial among biologists, there are approximately 24-25 generally accepted subspecies (breeds). However, the number of main breeds widely used in commercial beekeeping, with traits fixed through breeding studies, is limited to 4 or 5. When looking at other what are the bee types, most appear as local ecotypes or wild lines with low economic value.
Caucasian Bee (Apis mellifera caucasica)
The Caucasian Bee, whose homeland is the Caucasus Mountains and the northeastern region of Turkey, is indisputably one of the most durable and disciplined breeds for cold climate conditions.
Morphological Structure and Tongue Length
The most distinctive physical feature of the Caucasian bee is its tongue structure, which is longer than all other breeds and can reach up to 7.2 mm. This anatomical advantage allows the bee’s proboscis to reach the nectar of deep-tubed flowers that other breeds cannot reach. Especially in dry seasons or in plant flora where nectar is deep, the Caucasian bee can continue to collect honey thanks to this ability.
Behavioral Characteristics and Overwintering
Known for its docility, this breed generally allows beekeepers to work without a mask. Another important feature is its tendency to collect excessive propolis. As winter approaches, it insulates the colony against the cold by closing the hive entrance and openings with propolis. It forms the winter cluster very successfully, but its awakening in spring and brood rearing start a bit later compared to other breeds.
Carniolan Bee (Apis mellifera carnica)
Originating from Slovenia, the Carniolan Bee is one of the most preferred breeds worldwide due to its adaptation ability and explosive growth rate in the spring months.
Early Spring Development
The biggest advantage of the Carniolan breed is that, despite coming out of winter with a small population, it can multiply rapidly with the first pollen flow. The colony population reaches maximum levels in a short time, making it indispensable for beekeepers who want to get honey from early-blooming plants (such as fruit trees, canola). This rapid development ensures the colony enters the season strong.
Orientation and Robbing
This breed’s ability to find direction is highly developed, so the probability of them mistaking their hives is very low. Furthermore, although they are careful about protecting their own hives, they do not tend to attack other hives and engage in robbing. Their honey consumption in winter is quite economical.
Italian Bee (Apis mellifera ligustica)
Known for its aesthetic appearance with yellow bands, the Italian Bee is the favorite breed of temperate climate zones and regions with long-term nectar flows.
Reproductive Capacity and Honey Yield
The most characteristic feature of the Italian breed is the very high egg-laying capacity of the queen bee. Brood production continues even if the nectar flow decreases, which ensures the hive remains very crowded throughout the season. Since they have a strong army of foragers, they can collect record levels of honey in a good season.
Overwintering and Nutritional Problems
The tendency to continuously produce brood turns into a serious disadvantage during winter months or periods of famine. Since brood care continues even in winter, they consume honey stocks rapidly. In regions experiencing harsh winters, if the beekeeper does not provide adequate feeding, the colony may collapse from starvation. Additionally, their robbing tendencies are quite high compared to other breeds.
Anatolian Bee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca)
Having adapted to the harsh winters and dry summers of the Anatolian geography for thousands of years, the Anatolian Bee is a great treasure in terms of genetic diversity.
Climatic Resilience and Thriftiness
The greatest superpower of the Anatolian bee is its frugality. It forms the winter cluster perfectly and keeps honey consumption at a minimum level throughout the winter. Its success in surviving under challenging climate conditions and sudden weather changes is high. It has developed local resistance against diseases and parasites.
Work Ethics and Defense
It is extremely hardworking and persistent in nectar collection. It adapts well to migratory beekeeping conditions. Its instinct to protect the colony against external threats is developed, so it can sometimes exhibit aggressive behaviors. However, this defense mechanism ensures the colony’s survival in regions where wildlife (bears, badgers, hornets) is dense.
Carpathian Bee (Apis mellifera carpatica)
Spreading from the high-altitude regions of Romania, the Carpathian Bee is a breed specialized for colder and more humid climates, although it resembles the Carniolan morphologically.
High Altitude and Cold Climate Adaptation
The Carpathian bee has the ability to go out to the field and seek nectar even in weather with little sun, fog, and cool temperatures. Its ability to work in weather conditions where other bees retreat into the hive makes it an ideal choice for rainy regions like the Black Sea.
Capping Feature and Comb Quality
This breed’s technique of sealing honey is called “dry capping.” By leaving an air gap between the honey and the capping wax, they ensure the comb looks pure white. This feature offers a visual advantage for producers selling comb honey.
Buckfast and Belfast Bee (Hybrid)
Emerging not through natural selection but as a result of breeding studies conducted by human hands, the Buckfast and Belfast Bee are hybrid lines focused on commercial yield.
Breeding Studies and Hybrid Vigor
Developed by Brother Adam, these bees were created by combining the best features of different breeds (such as the yield of the Italian, the durability of the Dark bee). Consequently, colonies that are resistant to diseases, develop very fast, and have maximized honey yield are obtained.
Genetic Segregation and Management Challenges
The biggest handicap of hybrid bees is that their traits are not permanent. While first-generation (F1) queen bees show superior performance, genetic segregation occurs in subsequent generations (F2, F3) produced from them. This situation can cause the colony to suddenly become excessively aggressive or inefficient. Therefore, constant breeding stock renewal is mandatory.
Curiosities and Misconceptions About Bee Breeds
Some of the information circulating in the beekeeping world is based on hearsay legends rather than scientific data. It is important to have correct information about dangerous species and concepts falling outside of common bee breeds.
What Is the World’s Most Dangerous Bee?
The answer to the question what is the world’s most dangerous bee, frequently encountered in internet searches, is the “Africanized Honey Bees” (Killer Bees) spread into nature as a result of a laboratory accident. This hybrid species organizes mass attacks with the instinct to protect its hive and can pursue a target for hundreds of meters. Fortunately, this dangerous genetic structure is not present among the existing honey bees in Turkey.
Morphological Misconceptions: Large and Tailed Bees
Sometimes among the public, terms like large bee breeds are used for bees with a large body size, or tailed bee because the abdomen looks pointed and long. However, there is no special breed with these names in zoological classification. These appearances are usually variations related to the bee’s nutritional status or age.
