Honey bees in the United States are a heterogenous blend of several races introduced from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. (True or False)
Bees, ands wasps, and hornets belong to the order:
Diptera
Coleoptera
Hymenoptera
Lepidoptera
Isoptera
Honey bees belong to the family:
Vespidae
Megachilidae
Andrenidae
Apidae
Halictidae
Listed below are several characteristics and scientific names of various rases of honey bees found in the world. Please match the correct race with the appropriate response.
The Cape Bee
The Africanized Honey Bee
Caucasions
Italians
Carniolans
the Cyprian Bee
Japanese Bee
Dark or Black German Bees
Second race of honey bees introduced into the United States.
Apis mellifera mellifera
Laying workers of the race can produce female offspring.
Apis mellifera linjustica
Known as the "quietest and most gentle" race
Original race of honey bees brought over by the colonists.
Apis cerana cerana
The various races of the European or western honey bee, Apis mellifera can interbreed. (True or False)
Starline Honey bees are three-way hybrids developed from inbred lines derived from the Carniolan race. (True or False)
Quiz Answers:
True Honey bees in the U.S. are a heterogeneous blend of several races introduced from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Currently, there are three major races: Italian, Caucasions, and Carniolans. However, they are not the same as the original races they are named after. Many strains of the original races have developed through interbreeding and selection along with various geographic and climatic influences.
C Hymenoptera
D Apidae
D Italians
H Dark or Black German Bees
A The Cape Bee
D Italians
E Carniolans
H Dark or Black German Bees
G Japanese Bees
True Races in bees are like breeds in animals and varieties in plants. Being of the same species, these races can interbreed and produce viable offspring.
False Starline honey bees are based on a four-way cross of inbred lines derived from the Italian race.