The productivity of an apiary depends on many factors, but first of all you need to pay attention to the breed of insects. When choosing a breed, the climatic features of the area and the range of honey plants and the resistance of insects to diseases are taken into account. An assessment of the characteristics of insects and a comparative description of their working qualities will help determine which is better.
Main features of buckfast bees
The breed was developed as a result of the selection efforts of English beekeepers (Macedonian, Turkish, and Egyptian bees were used for breeding).Buckfast bees are unpretentious to living conditions, resistant to diseases and are highly productive.
Main external characteristics: the color of the elongated narrow body can vary from gray to brown, the shade of the wings is light brown with a creamy tint. The length of the proboscis is 6.5-6.8 mm. There are several special signs of buckfast:
- maintaining performance under unfavorable climatic conditions. Good tolerance to high humidity;
- a large amount of brood produced. High fertility of the uterus;
- early departure in spring, long-distance flight;
- low swarming rate.
Buckfast bees are distinguished by their peaceful nature, cleanliness, and neat filling of the honeycombs.
Description of carnival bees
The main habitat is certain areas of Slovenia, Southern Austria, Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Therefore, a comfortable climate for insects is hot summer, cold winter and short spring. It is easy to identify insects by the silver-gray color of the body and the long proboscis (6.4-6.7 mm) of worker bees.
Bees are peaceful in nature, so they do not pose a danger to tourists walking along the paths.
Comparison table
In order to objectively evaluate the working qualities and advantages of various breeds, special comparative tables are compiled.
| Feature/Quality | Rating qualities on a ten-point scale | |
| Buckfast | Karnika | |
| Peacefulness | 10 | 10 |
| Survival in winter conditions | 10 | 10 |
| Early morning flight | 10 | 10 |
| Storing honey | 10 | 8 |
| Nectar collection | 10 | 10 |
| Collection of propolis | 5 | 3 |
| Tendency to swarm | 2 | 10 |
| Early type brood | 8 | 6 |
| Resistance to nosematosis | 5 | 5 |
| Resistance to tracheal mite | 10 | 10 |
| Resistance to Varroa mite | 3 | 3 |
| Predisposition to sitting on honeycombs | 10 | 10 |
| Pollen collection | 5 | 5 |
When choosing a breed, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the breed zoning (this will greatly simplify the care of insects). If you plan to put several hives on your summer cottage, it is advisable to choose insects with a peaceful nature.
Experienced beekeepers advise placing one breed of bees on a site (since several species become crossbred over time). It should also be taken into account that, regardless of any characteristics and working qualities, proper care of insects, creation of comfortable conditions for existence throughout the year, and provision of the necessary amount of nutrition are important.
