'Punic bees' was a name used by John Hewitt, who imported Tunisian queens  
to the UK around 1892. He raised large numbers of queens, which were 
advertised  as being 'absolutely faultless in all respects' (ROB Manley, Honey 
Farming), and  even immune to AFB. Given that the name recurs, this is probably 
the ultimate  source of the bees which were used elsewhere.
 
Robert  Brenchley
Birmingham UK

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