The Black Honeybee Could Save the UK Bee Industry

Back to black – honeybee that is. As the UK bee industry struggles following the effects of disease, mite infestation and pesticides, which have caused the collapse of many colonies, hopes have recently been raised.  The Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders’ Association believes that the black honeybee may hold the key to the recovery of the UK bee industry.  This native species which is considered lazy and aggressive was replaced in Victorian times by more productive and docile foreign species as the main honey producers. The black honeybee, though less productive, is thought to be hardier than species currently used for honey production.

Research is now underway into the collapse of the honeybee population and how the black honeybee may now rescue this industry.  Honeybees are essential pollinators for many food crops including apples and field beans and the distribution of the black honeybee is now being investigated. You can read more about this story on the pages of The Independent.