1 Topic by stevemcbill (edited by stevemcbill 08-10-2013 15:47:01)

  • stevemcbill
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Topic: Honey Bee Names

Chris,

Would it be possible (or perhaps even advisable) to add extra names for Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) races ?

I am thinking of Apis mellifera mellifera - sometimes known as the Black Bee; and Apis mellifera ligustica sometimes called the Yellow Bee or the Italian Bee.  See here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-g … t-24428707

However, I think this Wiki article complicates matters a little further (needs someone who knows more about Honey Bees than myself):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_dark_bee

Cheers.

Steve

Steve J. McWilliam
www.rECOrd-LRC.co.uk
www.stevemcwilliam.co.uk/guitar/

stevemcbill's Website

2 Reply by ChrisR

  • ChrisR
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Re: Honey Bee Names

Hi Steve, If there is a recording need in the community for honey bee races then I don't have any particular objections to including them - we already have 'Race' as a taxon rank. But, like you say, it is a complex issue and so I would need a clear instruction from an expert Hymenopterist to make sure that we adopted the current best taxonomy. :)

Chris Raper, Manager of the UK Species Inventory, Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD.  (tel: 020 7942 5894)
also Tachinid Recording Scheme (http://tachinidae.org.uk/)

3 Reply by cmoines

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Re: Honey Bee Names

Hello,
 
I have recieved a record of a black bee from the Isle of Arran.  I presume it is Apis mellifera mellifera following its recent reintroduction to the island.  It would be useful for us to be able to distinguish this race in Recorder.

Kind regards,
Christine (NTS)

4 Reply by Matt Smith

  • Matt Smith
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Re: Honey Bee Names

There are black bees and "black" bees.  I would not record any honeybees at subspecies level without a confirmed voucher specimen to back it up, and I would not support the inclusion of honeybee subspecies in Recorder or the UKSI either.