[MichaelShantz]

I'm a new beekeeper, finished building two hives, frames etc from scratch. Got on a list to capture swarms and it worked. I guess I'm lucky, the bees are very calm and the capped brood area is growing but the swarm was quite small. I didn't feed them much since they have lots of rosemary, apple, purple vetch, lavendar, sage, ... Can anyone tell me what these are? The last photos show the queen.
http://picasaweb.google.com/MichaelJShantz/BeeHive4302010

Mike

 

[charmd2]

They are honey bees.

Ok, not the answer you wanted, I'm sure, If they were picked up as swarms there really isn't a way to tell if they are "feral" "italian" "russian" "nw carnolian" "caucasian".

 

[MichaelShantz]

Thanks. There are two feral hives within half a mile of our place that have bees that are much darker than these, but this swarm came from elsewhere. Anyway, good to know I have honeybees.

 

[bigbore]

I am no expert , but they look like a pretty strong genetic Italian to me.