carnica

Carnica, in scientific terms Apis mellifera carnica, refers to the Carniolan honey bee, a subspecies of the western honey bee. It is native to the Carniola region in present-day Slovenia, with historical ranges extending into parts of Austria and the Balkans. Since the 19th century it has been distributed widely for beekeeping due to a combination of favorable traits.

Physical and behavioral characteristics: Carniolan bees are generally dark in color with variable banding and are of medium size. They are prized for a calm temperament, making them popular among beginner and urban beekeepers. They exhibit strong winter hardiness, good clustering, and efficient use of stores, enabling survival in colder climates. In spring they tend to expand brood in a steady, moderate manner, and they are known for a relatively low tendency to swarm compared with some other European races. They are typically effective foragers in cooler conditions and can respond to nectar flows with timely activity.

Beekeeping use and adaptation: The Carniolan subspecies is well suited to temperate climates and diverse environments. It is widely used in European apiculture and has been incorporated into breeding programs and queen-rearing operations around the world to combine its calm nature and winter resilience with other desirable traits. Its adaptability to variable nectar flows and cold storage makes it a common choice for regions with long winters and variable honey seasons.

See also: Apis mellifera, Carniolan honey bee.