Honey bees in the United States are a heterogeneous blend of several races introduced from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. However, they are not the same as the original races they were named after. Many strains of the original races have developed through interbreeding and selection along with various geographic and climatic influences. To determine which race or strain of bees would best suit your operation, first consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. Then try queens and packages from different queen breeders and suppliers to learn more about the behavior and productivity of each strain under your local conditions.
Italian bees are the most popular race in the United States.
First introduced in 1859, they basically replaced the original black bee, or German bee, brought over by the colonists. The Italian bee is light yellowish or brown with alternating stripes of brown and black on the abdomen. They tend to start brood rearing early in the spring and continue until late fall, which results in a large population throughout the active season. Large populations of Italians can collect a considerable amount of nectar in a relatively short period, but they also require more honey for maintenance than do the dark races. Most strains of Italian bees are considered to be quiet and gentle on the combs but not as gentle as the other two races.