Protection of carniolan bee – preserve breed or race of honeybee?

Abstract

Slovenia protects authentic breed of carniolan bee based on zootechnical legislation. Different varieties of honeybee around the Earth are usually described with the term races and not breeds. Foundations for such nomenclature are in evolution of bee races with natural selection without considerable influence of the men. Acceptance of carniolan bee as a race determines environmental-protection approach in preservation of authentic carniolan bee population. Slovenia is locus typicus of the race Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann 1879 and there are also natural possibilities for the preservation of carniolan bee diversity. Basic laws of hereditability and natural mating of honeybee queens determine establishment of carniolan bee preservation on whole territory of Slovenia with possibilities of special highly protected areas in alpine valleys and partial release of carniolan bee trade on the foraging area dedicated to the migratory beekeeping. That is basic framework to investigate possibilities for commercial breeding lines of honeybee queens especially for the market outside of Slovenia.