Capt Ken Black wrote:
>
>
> Contrary to other views I feel that this bee is extremely robust and
> although IoW decease may have contributed to a large drop in their numbers
> other factors like The Great War and the resulting lack of good husbandry
> during this period also took its toll. What we have now in many areas are
> honeybees that have survived and are carrying that resistance in thier
> genes. Yes there have been outside influences but in my opinion local traits
> have won through in the gene survivability battle and we STILL have
> excellent British honeybees.
> It would seem to me that if most of the British Black bees were wiped
out by Isle of Wight disease then then are susceptable rather that
resistant to the disease.  The bees that survived probable did so
because of their geographic location.  These British Black bees were
very dark brown in colour hence the name "Black Bee". (Debbie take
note).  They were not very agressive but were excitable during
manipulation.  They did not defend their hives very well against
robbers.  They are probably prone to brood diseases.  I do not
understand why BIBBA wants to breed back to these bees.  It is perhaps
an interesting academic exercise but that is about all.
 
The bees which I, and many people in Scotland, have today are certainly
very dark in colour but they are not British Black Bees. There have been
a lot of bees imported into Britain over the years and I think that the
resultant crosses are better than the originals.  As a matter of
interest there were also many French Black bees imported in the 1920's
which was just after the Isle of Wight epidemic which was very similar
to the British Blacks but according to R.O.B.Manley they were rather
vicious.
 
Harry
Scotland