Apis mellifera caucasica
The Caucasian honeybee is a sub-species of the Western honeybee.
Origin
The Caucasian honeybee originates from the high valleys of the Central Caucasus.
Anatomy and AppearanceShape and Size: similar to CarnicaChitin Color: dark with brown spots at timesHair Color: lead-greyTongue Length: up to 7.2 mm Behaviorbeneficial for beekeepinggentle and calm on the combardent brood production - raising strong coloniescolonies reach full strength in mid-summer, which is good for areas where the highest nectar flow is in mid-summervery great user of propolisin its native area a better honey producer than the European dark bee
not beneficial for beekeepingcolonies do not reach full strength until mid-summer, which is an undesirable trait for areas with the highest nectar flow in the spring.the great use of propolis may be seen as undesirable as it makes hive management more difficult. Frames and hive boxes are glued together more substantially.over wintering in northern climates not good due to susceptibility to nosemainclined to drifting and robbing Source
The Hive and the honeybee, Chapter 11 Races of bees by Prof. Friedrich Ruttner, published by Dadant 1975
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