Bainriona Dorcha na nGailte Dark Galtee Queens Apis Mellifera Mellifera, The Dark European Honeybee.

Handling docile bees		Dark bees at hive entrance Gentle handling of queen cells

Varroa in Ireland - Present Position

docile bees for demonstration

With the extension of the well established infestations in the North West and South East, Varroasis has continued to spread at an increasing pace in Ireland. During end of 2000 and early 2001 new cases have been found in Co's Wicklow, Clare, Galway, Laois and Waterford. These new outbreaks will further accelerate the spread of the mites.

The nearest known infestations to my apiaries in the Galtee/Vee Valley are probably in South and Mid Kilkenny and in Co. Laois. These outbreaks are about 50-60 miles away. However the mites could be present at locations much closer. And even though I have been constantly monitoring my colonies by means of Varroa floor screens and inserts and drone brood examination, there is no guarantee that my apiaries are still free of the mite. Intending customers should take these facts into consideration before ordering queens, particularly in areas where Varroa has not yet been found.

Ban on Imports

It is hoped that the authorities in the Republic of Ireland will continue to maintain the ban on bee imports so as to protect our native bee strains against hybridisation with imported sub-species. This would also prevent or at least delay the introduction of strains of mites which have already proved resistant to approved treatments in other countries. It would also help to prevent the introduction into Ireland of other diseases known and unknown.

Breeding for Varroa Tolerance

Dark Galtee Queens have been exported to countries where Varroa has been established for many years. Some of these queens and their progeny have been incorporated into research programmes for the evaluation of Varroa tolerance.

In the absence of Varroa some members of the Galtee Bee Breeding Group have been evaluating colonies for hygienic behaviour which may be a factor worthy of consideration in selective breeding for tolerance to Varroa and other brood diseases.

This is in keeping with our breeding group's general policy of selection for disease resistance which has been practised in our apiaries for a number of years. It is our intention to continue to put this policy into practice in future years whether we have Varroa in our area or not.

BIBBA Connection

As a long-standing member of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA), I try to promote their objectives in conserving and improving the native bees of Great Britain and Ireland. This includes support for their programme of research into Varroa tolerance of native strains of Apis mellifera mellifera. Since the initiation of my own bee improvement programme I have received encouragement, co-operation and much advice from members of BIBBA. My sale price includes a 12.5% reduction for members of BIBBA.

Morphometry and DNA

Morphometry studies in recent years have shown that the bee that predominates in Ireland is the Dark European Honeybee (Apis mellifera mellifera). My selection procedures for choosing breeder queens and drones include the use of morphometry to confirm that these are in fact pure Apis m. m. Over the past few years samples of my bees have been tested for racial purity using DNA analysis at the University of Copenhagen. These tests have confirmed beyond doubt the racial purity of my Dark Galtee strain of Apis mellifera mellifera.

The Most Suitable Bee

The Dark European Honeybee is the indigenous bee of Ireland, and it is therefore more suited to our damp oceanic climate than other subspecies of bees that have originated in warmer and drier climes.

Controlled Mating

During the past few years I have developed and practised a number of methods of controlled queen mating, including the establishment of a semi-isolated mating apiary in the Galtee Mountains. Known as the "Dun Aonghusa" system, it has served its purpose well. I have also practised time isolation which involved dequeening selected colonies late in the season so that they held on to their drones and maintained them in prime condition. Since 1995 instrumental insemination has been practised using various combinations of breeder queens and drones. It is intended for the foreseeable future to use a combination of these three mating techniques.

Galtee Bee Breeding Group (GBBG)

First formed in 1991, with four members, this group has increased tenfold. All our members are affiliated to the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association. Our aim is to work together for the conservation, study, selection and improvement of our own local strains of Dark European Bees. The group now operates over a pure breeding zone of some 2000 square miles, where the bee population is influenced in a major way by the group activities.

All the queens which I produce for sale will have been naturally mated in my own mating apiary, which is situated in the centre of this pure breeding zone.

Transferred To New Domain... 29 June 2007,