Frequently Asked Questions

This is a local name for the honey bee sub-species Apis mellifera mellifera (Amm), that is native to a large area of Northern Europe north of the Pyrenees and Alps. It is known locally by several names, often referring to its colour of "Black" or "Brown" and the location. Amm is generally referred to as the "Dark European Honey Bee" to give one descriptive name, so avoiding confusion with all the local names. See https://bibba.com/honeybee-origins/

This is a topic that scientists disagree on, as a few sub-species are considered by some to be local variations of others. In general, 26 – 30 are commonly stated.

It is thought that honey bees had common ancestors. As they spread their range, they became isolated by natural barriers, such as water, sand and mountains, where they evolved into sub-species that suited the environment.