Morphological characteristics of Apis m. carnica
Les caractéristiques morphologiques Apis m. carnica
Morphologische Merkmale Apis m. carnica

Queen bee, La reine, Bienenkönigin

carniolan honey queen bees for sale

The queen bee is the mother of all the bees in the hive and is essential for the colony’s survival. 

The queen bee plays a vital role in a honey bee colony, as she is the only female with fully developed ovaries and is responsible for laying eggs that produce worker bees and drones. The queen’s primary roles in the colony include:

  1. Egg-laying: The queen bee’s primary function is to serve as the reproducer. A well-mated and well-fed queen of quality stock can lay about 1,500 eggs per day during the spring.
  2. Producing chemical scents: The queen produces chemical scents that help regulate the unity of the colony.
  3. Controlling the population: The queen controls the population of the hive, laying fertilized female eggs or unfertilized male ones.
  4. Mating: The queen mates with drones (male bees) during a mating flight, typically in areas where drones congregate. She mates with multiple drones to ensure the survival of the colony.

Morphological Characteristics of Authentic Apis m. carnica

  • Coloration: The Apis m. carnica exhibits a range of colors, including light brown, leathery brown, and dark brown.
  • Body Structure: This subspecies is characterized by a well-developed and robust thorax, complemented by a long, pointed abdomen, which contributes to its overall resilience.

Queen bee with good genetics can be identified through various physical and behavioral traits, as well as the overall performance of her colony. Here are the key indicators:

1. Strong Brood Pattern
A high-quality queen will exhibit a consistent and abundant brood pattern. This includes concentric circles of brood with few skipped cells, indicating effective egg-laying capabilities. The presence of capped brood from edge to edge in frames is also a positive sign.

2. High Egg-Laying Rate
A genetically superior queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day, contributing to a robust population of worker bees. This prolific laying is essential for maintaining colony strength and productivity throughout the season.

3. Healthy and Vigorous Offspring
The offspring of a good queen should be healthy and exhibit desirable traits such as disease resistance, gentleness, and strong foraging abilities. The overall vitality of the colony is often a reflection of the queen’s genetic quality.

4. Low Swarming Tendency
A queen that shows low swarming instinct is preferable, as this trait contributes to colony stability. Queens that remain productive without swarming tendencies are more valuable for breeding.

5. Size and Morphology
Larger queens are generally associated with better reproductive capabilities. Traits such as body weight, size, and the development of reproductive organs (like ovarioles and spermatheca) can indicate genetic fitness. A well-developed spermatheca allows for effective sperm storage, which is crucial for fertilizing eggs over her lifetime.

6. Temperament
The temperament of the queen influences her colony’s behavior. A queen that produces calm and manageable bees is preferred, as aggressive behavior can complicate hive management.

7. Disease Resistance
Good genetic stock often correlates with enhanced disease resistance, particularly against common pathogens like Varroa mites and Nosema. Queens that produce resilient offspring contribute to the overall health of the colony.

8. Environmental Adaptability
A genetically superior queen should demonstrate adaptability to local environmental conditions, which can include resistance to temperature fluctuations and availability of forage resources. This adaptability enhances the colony’s survival rates in varying climates.



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)

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