Apis mellifera mellifera (AMM), also known as the European dark bee or British black bee, is particularly well-suited to the UK’s unique climate and conditions. Evidence from beekeeping experts and recent scientific research supports AMM bees as the ideal choice for UK beekeepers, especially compared to imported strains. By focusing on AMM bees, British beekeepers can improve colony resilience, protect native genetics, and reduce reliance on foreign bee imports that often disrupt local ecosystems.
The Unique Value of AMM Bees: Adaptation to British Conditions
AMM bees are naturally adapted to the UK’s climate. Having evolved in northern Europe, they are more capable of handling the damp, cool conditions common in the British Isles. Unlike imported bees, such as the Italian Apis mellifera ligustica, which thrive in warmer climates, AMM bees are highly resilient to British winters. They forage more effectively in lower temperatures and variable weather, ensuring consistent honey production when other subspecies may stay in the hive. As Beowulf Cooper noted in his pioneering work on native bees, this local adaptation is essential for colony success in regions with unpredictable weather and shorter foraging seasons.
Furthermore, AMM bees have shown traits linked to natural Varroa mite resistance. Recent studies indicate that these bees are better at removing infested pupae and exhibit hygienic behaviours that help control mite populations. In alignment with Tom Seeley’s principles of Darwinian beekeeping, these adaptations allow AMM colonies to naturally fend off pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments and supporting a more sustainable, treatment-free approach to beekeeping.
Risks of Hybridisation and Outbreeding Depression
The importation of non-native bees introduces the risk of genetic hybridisation, which can lead to outbreeding depression. Outbreeding depression occurs when two genetically distinct populations interbreed, potentially diluting adaptive traits and leading to offspring that are less suited to local conditions. Genetic studies reveal that AMM bees possess unique traits honed through adaptation to the northern European climate, including resistance to local pathogens. Mixing foreign genes into this pool jeopardises these traits, weakening future generations’ resilience to the British climate.
Beowulf Cooper highlighted the importance of protecting AMM’s unique genetic heritage. According to Cooper, well-meaning but misinformed beekeepers often unintentionally harm local strains by introducing foreign queens and drones. Instead of hybridisation, Cooper advocated selective breeding within AMM populations to maintain genetic integrity and preserve traits optimised for local survival. Conservation programs have shown that preserving AMM stock supports higher colony survival and stronger local adaptation, especially in challenging climates.
The Benefits of Local Breeding Programmes
Organisations like Sustainable Honey Bees CIC and the B4 Project encourage beekeepers to breed from existing AMM stock. By selecting queens from colonies that demonstrate productivity, gentleness, and natural Varroa resilience, beekeepers can cultivate strong, locally adapted colonies that minimise the need for chemical treatments. This approach follows nature’s lead: local adaptation through natural selection yields bees best suited to thrive in specific environments.
Sustainable Beekeeping: Avoiding Imports
Importing foreign bees undermines efforts to build resilient, sustainable AMM populations. Professor Grace McCormack and others have found that introducing non-native bees has led to significant genetic disruption across Europe, putting AMM populations at risk. By focusing on AMM breeding, beekeepers can aid in the revival of native populations and support conservation efforts.
To further strengthen AMM colonies, beekeepers are advised to practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods, such as increasing space between hives to minimise pathogen transmission. These methods, combined with selective breeding, represent a sustainable, ecologically responsible approach that respects AMM’s natural adaptations.
Van Alphen’s Approach to Natural Varroa Resistance and the Role of AMM Bees
Jacques van Alphen, an emeritus professor of ecology, has made substantial contributions to honeybee research, particularly on breeding strategies for Varroa-resistant bees. Initially trained in evolutionary ecology, van Alphen became involved in honeybee research after retirement, focusing on how ecological principles can be applied to beekeeping. He observed that while honeybees in South Africa and South America developed natural Varroa resistance within just five to seven years, European and North American populations have struggled with Varroa for over forty years. He attributes this difference to large, wild honeybee populations in South Africa and South America that are exposed to natural selection, allowing them to evolve resistance faster. In contrast, beekeepers in Europe and North America often rely on chemical treatments and imported queens, which disrupt natural selection.
Van Alphen advocates for a balanced approach where native subspecies like Apis mellifera mellifera (AMM) are maintained as free-mating, large populations. He argues that professional beekeepers can still selectively breed for traits like productivity and gentleness within AMM stock. However, he believes that hobbyist beekeepers should allow their bees to mate freely within the AMM population, fostering genetic diversity and resistance against new diseases. This model ensures that beekeepers have a resilient “reservoir” of native bees, supporting both productivity and ecological stability, especially as AMM bees are naturally suited to the UK climate. Van Alphen’s approach aligns closely with sustainable beekeeping practices, emphasising the importance of natural selection and the preservation of local bee genetics to future-proof beekeeping against emerging challenges.
Conclusion: Supporting AMM for British Beekeeping’s Future
The evidence overwhelmingly supports the use of AMM bees as the ideal choice for UK beekeepers. Not only are AMM bees naturally resilient to British climates and well-adapted to withstand local pests, but, as Jacques van Alphen’s research suggests, they also offer the best foundation for developing Varroa resistance through natural selection. By allowing AMM populations to mate freely and selectively breeding within this native subspecies, British beekeepers can foster a robust genetic “reservoir” that serves as a safeguard against future diseases. This approach reduces reliance on chemical treatments and imported bees, both of which undermine local adaptation and genetic diversity. With AMM bees, UK beekeepers can work towards a more sustainable, resilient beekeeping practice that honours ecological principles, supports local biodiversity, and secures the future of British beekeeping.