In a message dated 2/5/04 1:48:41 AM GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> In
> "Russian Life" magazine, an article claimed that there was a race of
> bees in Bashkiria (also known as the Republic of Bashkorotostan) which
> lies at the southern end of the Urals.


I correspond with a guy out there. He told me their bee is the 'Mid Russian
Bee', a black bee which is the local ecotype of the European Black Bee, A. m.
mellifera (or mellifica if you prefer). They are extraordinarily winter hardy,
and they get a huge harvest in mid summer from Lime trees (Basswood or Linden
if you are from places where these names apply). In Bashkiria is situated
apparently the largest forest remaining on earth of Lime/Linden/Basswood, and my
correspondent told me it is 'the size of Switzerland'.

Downside?  He describes the bee as 'very evil'.


Murray

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