Appearance
Carniolan honey bees are about the same size as the Italian honey bee race, but they are physically distinguished by their generally dusky brown-grey color that is relieved by stripes of a subdued lighter brown color. Their chitin is dark, but it is possible to find lighter colored or brown colored rings and dots on their bodies. They are also known as the "grey bee".Carniolan bees are nearly as big and long as the Western European black bees, though their abdomens are much slimmer. Furthermore, the Carniolan bee has a very long tongue , a very high elbow joint and very short hair.
Behavior
Beneficial⤷ Considered to be gentle and non-aggressive
⤷ Can be kept in populated areas.
⤷ Sense of orientation considered better than the Italian honey bee race
⤷ Less drifting of bees from one hive to a neighboring hive
⤷ When compared to the Italian race, they are not as prone to rob honey
⤷ Able to overwinter in smaller numbers of winter bees; honey stores are conserved.
⤷ Able to quickly adapt to changes in the environment
⤷ Better for areas with long winters
⤷ Rhythm of brood production very steep. Brood rearing is reduced when available forage decreases
⤷ Low use of propolis
⤷ Resistant to brood diseases
⤷ For areas with strong spring nectar flow and early pollination
⤷ Forage earlier in the morning and later in the evening, and on cool, wet days.
⤷ Workers live up to 12% longer than other breeds
Not beneficial
⤷ More prone to swarming if overcrowded
⤷ Low ability to thrive in hot summer weather
⤷ Strength of broodnest more dependent on availability of pollen
⤷ Unless marked the dark queen is difficult to find
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