The A. m. ruttneri evolved into a distinct subspecies when the Maltese islands were cut off from Sicily[2] at the end of the last ice age, belonging to the A Lineage of Apis mellifera and therefore being more closely related to African lineage rather than to the European C Lineage.[3][4] The production of honey by the Maltese bee has likely contributed to the islands name as the ancient Greeks called the island Μελίτη (Melitē) meaning "honey-sweet".[5]
Character and behaviour
The bee is of relatively dark colour and has shown an ability to defend itself against local predacious wasps, a behavior also reported in the related A. m. sicula, but not observed in imported A. m. ligustica bees. It was also observed to abscond during times of dearth and produce large numbers of queen cells prior to swarming (up to 80).[1]
In a comparison study on the island of Malta against the A. m. ligustica, the A. m. ruttneri showed significantly greater tolerance (all the A. m. ruttneri hives were still alive after 23 months, while all the A. m. ligustica hives died within a year) and resistance (by measuring the Hygienic trait with a Pin Test, the A. m. ruttneri had 50% higher results) towards the Varroa destructor mite. Also the A. m. ruttneri produced over three times the yield of honey when compared to the A. m. ligustica bees during the late season.[6][7] However the A. m. ruttneri was observed to be more aggressive and less calm on the comb during inspections, and they appeared to continue to rear brood and maintain a higher population during the winters months on Malta.[8]
History of A. m. ruttneri
The subspecies is named after Professor Friedrich Ruttner, an expert in honey bee queen breeding and also in the intra-specific taxonomy of the Apis mellifera.[9] It is considered as making a comeback after Varroa was introduced to Malta in the early 1990s.[8] At that time colonies of bees from abroad were imported to compensate for the loss of colonies.[citation needed] In 1997 it was confirmed as a distinct subspecies through DNA analysis, previously morphometric wing analysis had been used.[3] In 2022, it was reported that 70% of the Maltese colonies were destroyed by the Oriental hornet.[10] In February 2024, a public consulation has been opened to declare the Maltese honey bee as the national insect of Malta, an initiative that was proposed by the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee.[11] Malta has declared the Maltese Honey Bee as its National Insect on 24th September 2024. [12]
Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee
In 2022, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee was established to aid in the conservation and promotion of the Maltese honey bee. The organisation aims to ensure the Maltese honey bee is recognised in terms of Malta's sustainable apiculture, ecology, and natural heritage. Its objectives include encouraging research and breeding, coordinating various entities interested in the conservation of the Maltese honey bee, and emphasising the importance of legislation to protect the Maltese honey bee in a holistic manner. The Foundation opposes the importation of other bees into Malta, stating that the "Maltese Honey bee (A. m. ruttneri) is being polluted by honey bees of foreign breeds being imported into our country."[13] In summer 2023, they released a legal paper discussing Maltese and European laws related to the genetic protection of the endemic Maltese honey bee. On World Bee Day (20th May 2023), the Foundation made a request to the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to declare the Maltese honey bee as the national insect of Malta.[14] This milestone was achieved on 24th September 2024, when the legal notice granting the Maltese honey bee this national status was published.
