>Ted Fischer
>Dexter, Michigan USA
 
>Is there any information as to the race of these bees?  Are they
>Caucasion or Carniolan bees, or some other race?
>
 
Dear Beefriends
 
According to one Russian "Handbook for beekeeper", 1984, Moscow, by NL
Burenin, UDK 638.1 (031)
the races are as follows (in the area of the former SU):
 
Middle Russian - natural area Middle and North Europe. Brought in North
America-17 century, South America and Australia - 18 century, Asia - 19
century.They are the greatest except Italian race. Aggressive. Very
swarming. Not suitable for south areas. Length - 5.6 to 6.3 mm, one day mass
110 mg, unmated queen -190 mg, mated - 200 to 210 mg, lays up to1500 - 2000
eggs daily. Honey yield 12.7 to 41 kg/hive/year (average 28 kg, yield
depends on region). Nothing is said about Varroa resistance.
 
Grey Caucasian (of mountains) - natural area mountain area of North Caucasus
and behind Caucasus.
Very peaceful. The longest tongue of all races - 6.6 to 7.2 mm, mass-90,
queen mass - 180 (200), eggs 1100 to 1500. Low swarming. Honey yield 4 to
58, average 29kg.
 
Yellow Caucasian - natural area lowland of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaidzhan.
Tongue 6.5 to 6.9, mass 80 to 90, queen mass 180 (200), eggs 1100 to 1700,
good for hot dry climate, don't vent hive in heat just sit calmly.
Peaceful.
 
Carpathian , (mountains Ukraine) - tongue - 6.3 to 7.0, mass 110, queen 185
(205), eggs 1200 to 1800. Very peaceful, honey 30 to 40 kg.
 
Ukrainian steppe - natural area South Ukraine, derived of Middle Russian
south branch , tongue 6.3 to 6.7, mass 105, queen mass 180 (200), eggs 1100
to 1500. Middle aggressiveness, honey 30 to 40 kg.
 
Maybe, it helps.
 
Best wishes
Rimantas Zujus
Kaunas
LITHUANIA
 
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