Cataloging and compiling a comparison of bees and their traits

[Specialkayme]

For breeding purposes, I've been on the search for a reference book that contains useful information about each breed and strain of bee, including their breeding lineage, traits, country of origin, breeding potential, dispositions, and so on. I have been very unsuccessful in my search. Most resources have some information about the disposition of a certain breed or strain, but none seem to go into depth about any one strain, let alone most of them.

I've begun the process of compiling and cataloging the information I find on each strain and breed of bee, and comparing it to personal experience. Unfortunately, I'm a hobby beekeeper and I have a regular 9-5 job. I don't have the time or resources to compare each strain with personal experience, contact each breeder, and read EVERY beekeeping book.

So is anyone else interested in helping? Have relevant experience with strains, know about their breeding potential, or just want to read about it?

Russell Apiaries has been kind enough to give us forum space on their research website. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

[Michael Bush]

Brother Adams "in search of the best strains of bees" is a good start. Of course none are pure, so I don't know how useful any of it is. Bees vary more from colony to colony than race to race...

[rrussell6870]

Try just searching for the agricultural departments of different countries... googles translator is useful. Lol.

[JSL]

Biogeography and Taxonomy of Honeybees by F. Ruttner is one of the most complete texts describing the characteristics for each strain/race of bees.

Joe

[Specialkayme]

Thanks Joe, I never heard of it. I'll look into it.

Edit: Ouch, the cheapest I could find it for was $175