Apis mellifera carnica is a honey bee subspecies, first described by Pollmann in 1879.
Beekeeping in Slovenia has a long and rich history, making it widely recognized as the cradle of modern beekeeping. The tradition of beekeeping in Slovenia originates in the 7th century when beekeepers from the first Slavic state, Carantania, supplied honey to monasteries, churches, and counties all over Europe.
Significant progress was made in the 18th century by individuals such as Peter Pavel Glavar, who contributed to the field of beekeeping knowledge in the territory of present-day Slovenia.
The importance of beekeeping in Slovenia is also reflected in its rich terminology, academic, literary, and folklore texts, as well as in art, with characteristic painted panels and religious and secular motifs on the hives.
Today, beekeeping in Slovenia is an important agricultural industry, and the country is widely known for its unique natural treasure of high-quality honey, particularly produced by the indigenous Carniolan bee.
The tradition of beekeeping is deeply ingrained in the national identity and is increasingly growing, with around 11,293 beekeepers, 15,420 apiaries, and more than 210,000 bee colonies in 2020.
Beekeeping in Slovenia is not only about the production of honey but is also a way of life for many individuals, families, and communities, who obtain bee products for food and traditional medicine and use their knowledge and skills to care for the bees & nature.
The country’s commitment to preserving beekeeping is further demonstrated by its legal protection of the Carniolan bee and its territory as the region of origin of this subspecies.
In 2022, beekeeping in Slovenia was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, recognizing it as a way of life for many Slovenes and an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Apis mellifera carnica is a honey bee subspecies, first described by Pollmann in 1879. Its original habitat since the last glaciation is Balkan Peninsula with neighbouring regions.
Slovenia is often mentioned as a homeland of Carniolan honey bee. When considering distribution of A. m. carnica, however, it is evident that Slovenia sits at the western edge of its areal (Rihar, 2013). However, due to the vivid traffic with Carniolan queen bees since the 18th century, Carniolan honey bee is spread worldwide, today.
Due to its soft temper, adaptation to extreme low temperatures, good honey production in spring and summer (mainly produced on coniferous trees), Carniolan honey bee is in many countries well accepted and popular honey bee variety.
In the western part of Slovenia, in Primorska region, populations of A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica are in close contact, representing the western border of the natural habitat of Carniolan honey bee. Both subspecies can be frequently found in this region, so it seems that territory of Italian honey bee partially overlaps with that of Carniolan bee.
NOVEL ASPECTS IN CHARACTERISATION OF CARNIOLAN
HONEY BEE (Apis mellifera carnica, Pollmann 1879)
http://aas.bf.uni-lj.si/zootehnika/supl/5-2016/PDF/5-2016-18-27.pdf
Apis mellifera carnica can be also found in parts of Croatia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, Romania.
20. maj – svetovni dan čebel
World Bee Day is celebrated annually on May 20th to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, the threats they face, and their contribution to sustainable development. The United Nations designated this day to educate people about the significance of bees and their impact on the environment. Bees are crucial for ecosystems, as they help grow 90% of the world’s wildflower plants and 35% of the world’s crops depend on bees for growth.
World Bee Day corresponds with the birth of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture, who came from a family of beekeepers in Slovenia.
carnica Medokost®
Apiaries – Imkerei – apiculture MEDOKOST & MEDOVITA, Slovenia
Apis mellifera carnica MEDOKOST® – Kozjansko, Slovenia
Certified queen bee breeding center for the Carniolan bee (Apis m. carnica)
Centre d’élevage de reines certifié pour l’abeille carniolienne (Apis m. carnica)
Zertifizierte Bienenköniginzuchtstation für die Krainer Biene (Apis m. carnica)