Explore seven honey bee stocks plus VSH-selected bees and compare their practical management needs. VSH is a selected resistance trait, not a separate subspecies. Stock names describe ancestry or breeding programs, not guaranteed colony performance.
Individual guides
- Saskatraz Honey Bees
- Italian Honey Bees
- Carniolan Honey Bees
- Buckfast Honey Bees
- Caucasian Honey Bees
- European Dark Honey Bees
- Russian Honey Bees
- VSH-Selected Honey Bees — Varroa Sensitive Hygiene
Quick comparison
| Stock | Useful distinction | Management consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Italian | Italian subspecies | Food use and brood production |
| Carniolan | East-central European subspecies | Rapid growth and swarming |
| Caucasian | Caucasus subspecies | Propolis and slow spring growth |
| European Dark | Northern European subspecies | Lineage and temperament |
| Russian | Selected Russian-derived stock | Mite tolerance varies by line |
| Buckfast | Composite breeding stock | Breeder and mating history |
| Saskatraz | Selected hybrid breeding population | Family-specific performance |
VSH-Selected Bees
Selected trait, not a separate subspecies. Workers expressing Varroa Sensitive Hygiene remove mite-infested brood, disrupting mite reproduction. VSH selection can be incorporated into different stocks. Ask the breeder about tested VSH expression and mating control. Keep monitoring mites; the label does not guarantee mite elimination or treatment-free management.
Source: USDA-ARS — Honey Bees Selected by ARS Toss Out Varroa Mites
These distinctions are a starting point. Ask breeders for local records and continue routine Varroa monitoring with every stock.
Sources
- UF/IFAS — Honey Bee Stocks and Their Characteristics
- NC State Extension — The Different Types of Honey Bees
- Saskatraz — Breeder FAQ and pedigree
Full-size information sheet
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The original sheet is shown above. The reviewed notes on this page clarify or correct its wording; the downloadable image has not yet been revised.
VarroaDestructor.com · BeekeepersLibrary.com · Reviewed October 14, 2026