>I would suggest that none of the bees in the United States are "best
>described as Italian." We haven't imported bees from Italy in almost a
>hundred years. Color has been artificially enhanced by selection so that
>yellowish bees are yellower and black bees are blacker than they would be,
>even in their native ranges.

Hello PB!

You may well be correct, but leafing thru the ABJ, I see many breeders 
selling what they describe as Italians.  I’m not sure what name breeders 
would be expected to use in place of the name that would best reflect the 
Italian characteristics of this bee sold in America they are calling 
Italian.
  
Feral Italians were no doubt thriving in the woodlands, having escaped 
domestication 100 years ago, and out of mans domain escaping yellowazation 
of our bees to some degree.   We could go thru the ABJ and say the same 
thing about most breeds of bees being sold today.  But for now, I am  
content to call my bees best described as ‘wild Italian ferals’.

Best Wishes,
Joe

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