October Research confirms Native Irish Honeybee as a unique subspecies

 Scientists warn of continued and increased threat from weaker, imported bees and call for new legal protections

Scientists at University of Galway have revealed data which shows the Native Irish Honeybee is a distinct and genetically distinct subspecies. 

The project examined samples of live worker bees from beekeepers across Ireland, as well as measurements of genetic variations on 505 colonies, to test the theory of a unique ecotype which has adapted to the country’s cool, damp climate.

The study was supported by Taidghe Éireann-Research Ireland and the findings have been published in the Journal of Apicultural Research. (insert link here)

The research was conducted by a team at the University’s School of Natural Sciences and the Galway Honeybee Research Centre in collaboration with the Native Irish Honeybee Society.

Professor Grace McCormack, lead researcher at the School of Natural Sciences and the Ryan Institute at University of Galway, said: “In some respects the findings of our research is exactly what we have been waiting for - essentially the data confirms that our Native Irish Honeybee is different from all other honeybees.

“And we now have the science to support the theory of the existence of a distinct and genetically diverse honey bee ecotype in Ireland - it is smaller than other honey bees; it has a broader and hairier abdomen; it has shorter hind legs and proboscis; and it has longer fore wings. These are significant deviations from the European bee populations.

“It is our contention that these unique traits have developed over centuries due to the cooler and wetter climate and habitats in Ireland, but they may also have been influenced by artificial selection and/or genetic drift.” 

The history of the black bee in Ireland has been documented since as far back as the 7^th century when beekeeping was recorded and a set of bee laws forming part of the Brehon laws. Beeswax has also been found in archaeological sites dating from 3000 BC in the west of Ireland.

The scientific research comes at a critical juncture, with proposed legislation having passed in Seanad Éireann.

Professor McCormack added: “While pure A. m. mellifera is still common in Ireland it is under increased threat from introgressive hybridisation where the Native Irish Honeybee and other European bees, which we would consider as weaker, are breeding. We urge beekeepers and legislators alike to protect our black bee – an evolutionarily significant insect - before it is lost, as has happened elsewhere in Europe.”

“If we don’t act it will go extinct eventually here as it has done elsewhere. The Native Irish Honeybee has adapted to the unique climate in Ireland. It is clear from the experiences of beekeepers and our research that imported bees don’t do as well in our relatively wet, cool environment. If there is hybridisation – the genetics of the bees mixing - we lose the important adaptations and genetic resilience that the Native Irish Honeybee has evolved with and they will not be able to survive without significant help from beekeepers.”

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