Bee Lives Matter: Learn To Identify The Different Races Of Bees

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Apis means bee in Latin, and melli is honey and fera means bring. So it is the bee that brings honey.  

 the Apis mellifera species, there are sub-races of bees, which have adapted to their parts of the world. 

Apis mellifera – The Honeybee

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the racial classification of bees makes it difficult to think objectively about the bees themselves.

Races Of Bees

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African bees generally have a relatively defensive nature due to having been irritated by humans for so long.

African Races Of Bees

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European Races Of Bees

 European bees are generally far more disease prone.

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African Bees vs Honey Bees

African bees can breed with European bees to produce Africanised bees. Africanised bees have different characteristics to European bees. 

African bees which have been associated with stereotypes of “Africa” which are harmful to the perception of anything from Africa.

The Killer Beehive

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Aggression

African bees require a bit more smoke and attention to work than most European bees. 

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ADVICE

Humans have been a major predator of bees in Africa for most of the history of both species. Africa has a significant number of additional predators. 

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