Carniolan
Guides
Apis mellifera carnica
Carniolan honey bee, Carniolan bee
Apis mellifera carnica is a subspecies of the western honey bee native to Slovenia, southern Austria, and parts of the Balkans. It is distinguished by darker coloration than the Italian honey bee and is valued in beekeeping for its gentle temperament and rapid spring colony buildup. The subspecies has been the focus of intensive breeding programs, including the New World Carniolan line developed by Susan Cobey, now an industry standard. Research indicates A. m. carnica exhibits distinct genetic responses to thermal stress and shows potential resistance traits against Varroa destructor mites through grooming behavior. The subspecies is the subject of international conservation efforts, with Slovenia restricting beekeeping to Carniolan bees only.