The Brazilian Bee

The Brazilian bees are the result of countless crossbreeds between European and African bees. In 1956, some colonies of African Honey Bees were imported into Brazil, with the idea of cross-breeding them with local populations of Honey Bees to increase honey production. In 1957, twenty-six African queens, along with swarms of European worker bees, escaped from an experimental apiary about l00 miles south of Sao Paulo.

Among the interesting aspects regarding Brazilian bees, it is worth to note their impressive disease resistance, high productivity, wide action range and great aggressiveness. In addition, Brazilian bees are oriented to exterminate beehives eventually weakened or ill, thus allowing a natural selection of the breeds and avoiding development of antibiotic resistance.

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Characteristics of the Brazilian Bee

European honey bees resist much better to low temperature weather, while Brazilian bees are extremely aggressive and don't adapt to cold weather, preferring hotter temperatures. Brazilian honeybees also are more resistant to common European bees’ diseases. In Brazil, the great majority of beekeepers don’t need to use any antibiotic in the treatment of their hives.

If a hive gets ill, they change its weak queen and let nature do its job. This way, hives maintain its resistance naturally, and do not acquire antibiotic resistance. Their vitality results in higher productivity. Its action range is wider, and they are more efficient in production as well.

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How do the bees use Propolis?

Inside the cells: where the queen puts its eggs, and worker bees deposit honey, propolis is used to make it stronger and for disinfection.

In openings: avoiding invaders like ants, beetles, and mites entrance to prejudice the hive integrity, contaminating it.

In hive cleaning: when an invader is neutralized inside the hive, and it cannot be brought out by the bees, they cover it with propolis, to avoid putrefaction, and consequent hive contamination.

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