New UK member now based in Northern Spain

[Mooseturker]

Hello everyone,
Thanks for allowing me to join, i've been following for a while but felt the need to post on one of the threads so joined. I'm originally from Wales but now based in Selaya in Northern Spain. Beekeeping for two years, have 4 Langstroth housed colonies at the moment. They are Black Spanish bees (Apis mellifera iberiensis) and have the sting photos to prove it. Learning fast about the impacts of Varroa and the damn Asian hornets!!
Look forward to asking lots of stupid questions that i'm sure you will help me correct.

 

[admanga]

How defensive are they?

Wikipedia on Apis mellifera iberiensis says: They exhibit quick defensive reaction, nervousness, and a propensity to swarm. They do make abundant use of propolis. One or two sentry bees are always present at the entrance of the hive. If the colony is disturbed, the sentries raise a persistent alarm. The hive attack anything that seems threatening for at least 24 hours.

In eastern France, another black bee, is famous for its aggressive behaviour. It would be an excellent choice (economical with winter stores; more diversity in its foraging than buckfast type), but only suitable for an apiary well away from people.

 

[Penninetrader]

They sound a joy, will give them a miss thank you very much

 

[Mooseturker]

How defensive are they?

Wikipedia on Apis mellifera iberiensis says: They exhibit quick defensive reaction, nervousness, and a propensity to swarm. They do make abundant use of propolis. One or two sentry bees are always present at the entrance of the hive. If the colony is disturbed, the sentries raise a persistent alarm. The hive attack anything that seems threatening for at least 24 hours.

In eastern France, another black bee, is famous for its aggressive behaviour. It would be an excellent choice (economical with winter stores; more diversity in its foraging than buckfast type), but only suitable for an apiary well away from people.

Yeh they can be feisty but apparently the best for defending against the Asian hornet plus they are also native so best suited to the environment here which is only really a few degrees warmer than the UK in the North, same rainfall and being at an altitude of 400m we do get the odd snowfall and frosts.

 

[fian]

Welcome to humid Spain. Regarding the apis mellifica iberensis (it is a hybrid stabilized in various local populations) there is a marked difference between those in the northeast and those in the southwest (on one side or the other of an imaginary line that passes through Oviedo and Alicante). The races in the southwest have more African lineage characters while those in the northeast have more continental markers (M lineage). Mine are more aggressive than yours, although generally only in times of stress. They are also somewhat smaller.

 

[Mooseturker]

Welcome to humid Spain. Regarding the apis mellifica iberensis (it is a hybrid stabilized in various local populations) there is a marked difference between those in the northeast and those in the southwest (on one side or the other of an imaginary line that passes through Oviedo and Alicante). The races in the southwest have more African lineage characters while those in the northeast have more continental markers (M lineage). Mine are more aggressive than yours, although generally only in times of stress. They are also somewhat smaller.

Thanks for the information very interesting. I've even noticed differences within Cantabria, i've bought bees from two different places (Potes and Saron) and have noticed the difference in size and temperament of the bees both being 'apis mellifica iberensis'. The smaller being less aggressive but i guess that can be down to many factors.