beekeeping

[Hivemaker.]

And now to your favorite,the Italian,good and bad points, that you have found.

 

[Finman]

And now to your favorite,the Italian,good and bad points, that you have found.

Popular and easy to get strains. Is it good, it I see afterwards.

More sensitive to chalkbrood than Carniolan
Big hives. Good compact laying.
Big yields
Slow to swarm
Mostly gentle enough
Good wintering if stock is from north.
No surprises

Eate all pollen stores in Autumn --> big winter cluster. Spring build up late
Not good pollen foragers

Nosema makes harm in winter


Crossing may be what ever.
If you do not take care of yard
- swarms
- stings
- small hives
- what ever
Like bees do

Crossings with Elgon/Monticola were bad. Even killer.

 

[Polyanwood]

Do you think you could tell the difference say between Carniolans an Italians just by looking at them?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Italians are larger,carnica worker is blackish with grey bands, queen is dark.Italian has more yellow,and queen is lighter and more orange/yellow.