Is it because they is black?

[bunn]

Native British black bees are apparently much more robust than standard domestic bees, may be a part of the solution to the famous Bee Problem:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/18/black-bee-co-op-population 

I am intrigued by this as I've been flirting with the idea of having a few hives, but it seems to be astoundingly hard to keep bees successfully nowadays with all the diseases that are rife. 

Comments

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Now that is interesting... There may be a worldwide problem with genetic uniformity.

[chainmailmaiden]

I've always fancied keeping bees too. After being given a pot of very nice honey by the head of H&S at work a few weeks ago, I was wondering yet again if I could get away with them in our garden. The chap at work has lost most of his hives now and his friend who produces commercially has lost 30 out of the 60 he had :-(