The Cyprian bee is an island population of the eastern Mediterranean, known for its pronounced defensive behaviour.

Characteristics

• Colour: Bright yellow with dark banding
• Temper: Highly defensive; ranked among the most defensive populations
• Colony size: Moderate
• Heat tolerant

Adaptations

• Heat and drought: It functions in conditions where other subspecies struggle
• Rapid response to dearth: Brood rearing stops quickly and stores are conserved
• Strong defence: A logical outcome on an island with a long history of predation pressure

Defence against hornets

A balling behaviour against hornets is described for this population, comparable to that of Apis cerana but working differently: the hornet is enclosed in the ball and asphyxiated.

This is notable, because western honey bees generally show little of this behaviour.

The limitation

The temper makes routine inspection demanding and keeping colonies near dwellings problematic. That is the main reason it is little used outside its own region.

Conservation value

Island populations are genetically isolated and carry adaptations found nowhere else. Heat tolerance and the described hornet defence are traits that may gain importance as climates shift and pests spread.

Uncontrolled importation and crossing dilute that reservoir, and what is lost does not return.

The general principle

A subspecies is selected for the forage calendar and climate of its own region. Used outside it, the expected result does not necessarily follow.