For most beekeepers in Europe, the best choice is a well-adapted population of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. Europe is home to several regional subspecies and locally selected lines that have developed useful traits for their climates, flowering cycles, and beekeeping traditions.The most successful colonies are rarely chosen on colour alone. A suitable bee should match the local season length, winter temperatures, nectar flows, management style, and health priorities of the apiary. In m [...]
