“We have found that not only are these black bees a pure form of Apis mellifera mellifera, but they also have markers specific only to Ireland. The vast majority of the DNA samples taken showed greater than 95 per cent purity for Apis mellifera mellifera; the native honeybee for northern Europe and Ireland,” he said. “The study exceeded all our expectations, and has excited beekeepers across the continent. It has belied the myth that there is no native Irish honeybee in existence.”
Read more in the Irish Times
One Response
This long awaited news is Fantastic !
Gives us confirmation had been waiting on and a further incentive to keep out imported strains and safeguard our Dark Native Irish Honeybee.