Character
Hybrids have a defensive character and have the reputation of stinging people (and other creatures) for no apparent reason. Some colonies are very "runny" on the comb and so excitable that beekeepers consider them difficult to work with. This characteristic is not, however, one that has been traditionally associated with the dark bee breeds, which were previously known for their rather easy handling (though they have never been considered as placid as the Carniolan honey bee).
Their qualities are:
- significant winter hardiness
- low tendency to swarm
- some lines are very gentle
- defensive against invaders i.e. wasps
- careful, measured "maritime" brood cycle
- strong drive to collect pollen
- high longevity of the worker bees and queen
- excellent flight strength even in cold weather
- possibly hardiness against varroa
Read more about this topic: European Dark Bee
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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