Be the first to comment!Asian Honey Bee discovered in Malta for the first time
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
The University of Malta has advised that a bee species of Asian origin has been discovered in Malta for the first time.
Known as the Red Dwarf Honey Bee, its scientific name is Apis florea. The discovery took place in the Birzebbugia area, marking the first recorded instance of a colony of this species in Europe, the University said.
The honeycomb measured 22cm in length, 15cm in height, and 9cm in width, and it is estimated that around 2,000 bees inhabited it, although the queen was not located.
Researchers collected some of the bees to study them before eliminating the colony. These specimens were donated to the Department of Biology at the University of Malta.
The University of Malta said that “the species is considered as risky to the natural biodiversity of our country.”
Photo: University of Malta
