Apis mellifera adami was a honey bee once native to Crete, it was named in honour of Brother Adam, a renowned beekeeper. As per other native subspecies of honey bee in their native territories, A. m. adami played a crucial role in pollination on the island. However, recent genetic studies reveal that it may have gone extinct, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in protecting local honey bee populations.
The extinction of A. m. adami can be traced back to the 1980s, when the Varroa mite – a parasitic pest known for its devastating impact on honey bee colonies – invaded the region. This mite proved especially lethal to the Cretan honey bees, which lacked resistance. Compounding this issue, the uncontrolled importation of honey bees from mainland Greece led to the hybridisation of the local A. m. adami population with other subspecies, particularly A. m. macedonica and A. m. ligustica. As a result, pure populations of A. m. adami gradually disappeared.
Population genetic studies are invaluable in tracking the health and survival of honey bee subspecies. These studies examine the DNA of bee populations, helping scientists detect local extinctions and understand the genetic diversity within and between colonies. In the case of A. m. adami, recent genetic analysis revealed that the bees currently found on Crete are a mix of different honey bee subspecies, confirming that the original, pure form of A. m. adami likely no longer exists. This process, known as “polyhybridisation“, results in the blending of genetic traits from various subspecies, making it difficult to preserve distinct local populations.
Still, there is hope for honey bees similar to A. m. adami. Other studies have identified honey bee populations on nearby islands like Kasos, Kythira, and Ikaria that share genetic traits with A. m. adami, though they have not yet been officially classified as the same subspecies. This raises important questions about whether efforts can be made to protect and restore these genetically similar populations, preventing them from suffering the same fate as the bees of Crete.
The hybridisation of local honey bee populations is a growing concern across the globe. When foreign honey bees are introduced to new environments, they often mate with local bees, leading to the dilution of unique genetic traits. In Crete, for instance, the introduction of the commercial A. m. macedonica and A. m. ligustica changed the genetic landscape of the island’s honey bee populations, with no pure A. m. adami colonies left. This highlights the need for stronger regulations on the movement of bees between regions and better protection for endemic species.
The case of A. m. adami serves as a powerful reminder of how fragile local honey bee populations can be in the face of disease, human intervention, and environmental change. Conservation efforts must prioritise the protection of native bee species by preventing the spread of pests like the Varroa mite and restricting the importation of non-native honey bees that threaten genetic purity.
To support bee conservation efforts, beekeepers and organisations can take steps such as:
- Advocating for stronger policies to protect against the introduction of invasive species.
- Promoting sustainable beekeeping practices that minimise the risk of disease.
- Focusing on breeding programmes that protect native bee species.
The extinction of Apis mellifera adami in Crete serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of honey bee subspecies, particularly on islands. Malta, home to the world’s rarest honey bee subspecies, Apis mellifera ruttneri, faces a similar risk if conservation measures are not taken seriously, and on a national level. Continued imports of foreign honey bees could lead to a similar fate for the Maltese Honey Bee, underscoring the need for swift action.
By learning from Crete’s loss, Malta can take decisive steps to protect its National Insect and safeguard the essential pollination and biodiversity it provides, for future generations to come. Unlike Crete, where some remnants of A. m. adami may still exist on nearby islands, Malta’s geographic isolation means that if the Maltese Honey Bee disappears, it will be lost forever. Given the subspecies’ rarity and the Maltese archipelago’s small size, protecting Apis mellifera ruttneri is not just a conservation priority for Malta; it is a national duty. The time to act is now!
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References
Zampakas, K., Alvanou, M., Kalapouti, A., Hatjina, F., Tananaki, C., Melfou, K., & Giantsis, I. A. (2024). Genetic profile of Greek indigenous honey bee populations, local extinctions, geographical distinction, and patterns, by using mtDNA COI and nuclear CSD gene analysis markers. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 62(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5466016
Humboldt University of Berlin. (n.d.). Bee breed and beekeeping – ZWS (Zuchtwertschätzung) & breeding values. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://www2.hu-berlin.de/beebreed/ZWS/
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