Can anyone provide me references/citations re temperament of F1 crosses of
Italian and Carniolans?   And particularly if directionality of the cross
affects the result?

 

Recently I was discussing with a beek friend who is experienced with Carnis
the plans of a third beek to requeen with Carniolans locally.  Our region is
99.9% Italian for many years (Carnis have only been in the country a decade
or so, no Caucasians or AMM here, so very Italian genes).   He pointed out
the issue of F1 crosses often having poor temperament, noting that he dealt
with hives in another region that he described as 'savage' despite
apparently otherwise good parentage, and believed it was likely an
expression of the F1 cross.

 

This rang vague bells for me, and an online search has pulled a couple of
forum discussion references to this issue, but nothing I would put in front
of this third beek and say 'have a think about this'.   I did find one
mention (which I promptly lost) that the temperament issue is directional -
an Italian queen mated with Carniolan drones does not express poor
temperament, but a Carniolan queen mated to Italian drones produces nasty
daughters.

 

I'd really appreciate any references/experiences anyone can offer. 

 

Regards

Deanna Corbett

Dee's Bees


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