Apis mellifera carnica is the subspecies of central and south-eastern Europe. The Alpine region and the Balkans are its natural range. With the Italian bee it is one of the two most preferred subspecies in Europe.

Appearance

• Dark grey-brown; no yellow banding, or very faint
• Silvery bands of hair on the abdominal segments
• Slender, with a fairly long tongue

Strengths

• Marked gentleness: Considered one of the calmest subspecies; in many conditions it allows inspection without smoke
• Frugal in winter: It forms a small winter cluster and uses stores economically
• Rapid spring build-up: It grows very fast once forage begins and makes good use of early flows
• Responsive to forage: It cuts brood rearing quickly when the flow stops, protecting stores
• Good orientation: Little drifting when hives stand close together
• Flies in cool weather: Works at low temperatures and in overcast conditions

Its weakness

Swarming tendency. This is the best-known disadvantage of the subspecies and it alone shapes management.

Rapid spring build-up and swarming tendency are two sides of the same coin: the colony grows very fast and reaches congestion quickly. A beekeeper working with Carniolans must keep inspection intervals tight through the swarming season.

In modern selected lines this tendency has been markedly reduced; the choice of line makes a large difference here.

Where it suits

It is strong in regions with long cold winters and a short, intense spring. Low winter consumption and rapid spring opening become advantages in that climate.

It gives a marked edge where there is an early flow.

Management notes

• Keep inspection intervals under eight days in the swarming season
• Give supers before congestion develops; congestion is the strongest trigger
• Build splits and artificial swarms into the plan from the start; the colony will want to divide anyway
• Requeen regularly; a young queen markedly reduces the tendency
• Allow for the rapid build-up: weekly inspections are needed in spring