Italian Bees

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Italian Bees

Italian bees are the most popular strain in the United States. They are light yellowish or brown with alternating stripes of brown and black on the abdomen. The lighter color of the Italian queen makes her easy to find in the hive.

Italian bees start brood rearing early in the spring and continue through late fall, which results in a large population and a considerable amount of nectar in a short period of time.

Drifting and robbing can aid in the spread of disease.

They do, however, require more honey for maintenance do other strains. They also exhibit weaker orientation, resulting in more frequent drifting from one colony to another; they also exhibit a strong inclination to robbing, which can aid in the spread of disease. Italians, though, are comparatively resistant to European foulbrood--the major reason they have replaced black bees.

Italian bees produce brilliant white cappings, which are ideal for producing comb honey.

Advantages

  • Populate quickly
  • Produce nectar quickly
  • Resistant to European foulbrood
  • Produce white cappings--good for comb honey

Disadvantages

  • More honey needed for maintenance
  • More frequent drifting and robbing

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