Our benchmark line combines pronounced hygienic behaviour (HYG) and Varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH) with a steady temperament on the comb and a good balance between colony growth and production. Early spring build-up and long-lived bees make it well suited to producing nucleus colonies. In our apiaries, these colonies manage their stores efficiently and get through winter and periods of poor nectar flow without supplementary feeding. This supports colony fitness, makes breeding operations more predictable and helps control costs.

This line is well balanced across the traits we select for in Apis mellifera ligustica. The bees are active foragers, remain steady on the comb and are gentle during inspections, while defending the hive against predators such as the European hornet (Vespa crabro) and the oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis). Colonies build up steadily, with a good balance of brood and adult bees. Brood rearing starts ahead of flowering, slows during the nectar flow and tends to pause as the flow ends. Colonies build reserves for periods when forage is scarce, making the line well suited to stationary beekeeping.

In our breeding programme, this line shows consistent traits, including pronounced hygienic behaviour (HYG) and Varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH). The bees stay steady on the comb, and colonies balance growth and production in a way that makes them predictable to manage in a commercial apiary. They continue to bring in pollen even when forage is scarce and manage their stores well. Colonies build up steadily, with a good balance of brood and adult bees. This helps limit heat and nutritional stress and supports bee longevity and colony fitness.

Selected for migratory beekeeping, this line tends to build upwards early in spring, making it well suited to management with a restricted brood nest. It stores much of its crop in the supers and has produced above-average yields in our apiaries. This approach also affects how stores are managed after harvest. The bees show a low tendency to swarm and stay steady on the comb. In our experience, this makes it possible to work in densely stocked apiaries and, on some days, to carry out inspections without a smoker.

In our breeding programme, this line shows consistent traits, including pronounced hygienic behaviour (HYG) and Varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH). The bees stay steady on the comb, and colonies balance growth and production, making them predictable to manage in a commercial apiary. In our own observations, this is one of the lines showing greater resistance to Varroa mite pressure and viral disease. We plan to use daughter queens already in production colonies to raise drone lines for mating stations and for instrumental insemination.

The higher proportion of yellow pigmentation is noticeable as soon as the hive is opened, although colour was outside our selection criteria. This line has also shown strong hygienic behaviour and good production in our apiaries. Colonies build up steadily in spring and use their stores sparingly. We plan to include this line in future crosses.