On 24th September 2024, a legal notice officially declared the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) as the National Insect of Malta. This achievement marks the culmination of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee‘s dedicated efforts, including research conducted in collaboration with the University of Malta to establish legal protections for this endemic subspecies. On World Bee Day 2023 (20th May), the Foundation submitted a formal request to the Environment and Resources Authority to elevate the legal status of the Maltese Honey Bee, which faces extinction risks due to genetic dilution from imported honey bees. Additionally, the Foundation successfully lobbied the Central Bank of Malta to issue a €2 commemorative coin to celebrate this significant event in the history of apiculture in Malta.
By elevating the status of the Maltese Honey Bee to that of a flagship species, this new recognition will not only enhance broader environmental protection but also foster public admiration for this unique insect, making it a focal point for support and affection. This initiative is expected to shift stakeholders’ mindsets, leading to increased recognition of the value of our native honey bee and a reduction in the importation of foreign bees, contributing to a more sustainable beekeeping sector. Such a shift will mitigate the risks of introducing new diseases or pests, which have historically challenged beekeeping practices. Consequently, the Maltese Honey Bee will become more resilient and better adapted to local conditions, potentially extending its lifespan and lowering costs for beekeepers, thereby making the practice more sustainable. Locally produced honey will gain prestige not only for its origin from Malta’s native flora but also because it comes from an endemic subspecies recognised as Malta’s National Insect.
Now that this higher legal status has been achieved, the Foundation, which spearheaded the National Insect initiative, is launching the project “Custodians of the National Insect.” This project aims to establish apiaries for our National Insect, ensuring its protection with the assistance of the Custodians. To achieve this, the Foundation will collaborate with sponsors, proprietor, and beekeepers, working together as Custodians of the National Insect for the benefit of the Maltese Honey Bee. Sponsors will provide funding to purchase beehives and nuclei of the endemic bee, landowners (proprietors) will offer space for rearing them, while beekeepers will be responsible for tending to the bees. These three major stakeholders will work collaboratively for the greater environmental good. By placing beehives of the Maltese Honey Bee across the Maltese archipelago, we will increase the likelihood of mating with local bees, thereby reducing the risk of genetic introgression. These apiaries will also create clusters of Conservation Zones dedicated specifically to the Maltese Honey Bee. This initiative would serve as a temporary mitigation measure, pending concrete actions towards the holistic protection of the species, namely the imposition of a total ban on the importation of foreign honey bees. Furthermore, the scope of this initiative includes the establishment of a registry of beekeepers in Malta who, to the best of their knowledge, rear only the Maltese Honey Bee and are firmly opposed to the importation of foreign bees.
Beekeepers will embrace the role of Guardians of the National Insect, leveraging the new opportunities presented by this initiative, along with increased funding and research support. Ultimately, we aim to foster pride in our rare and unique insect within both the Maltese islands and the global community, positioning Malta as a leader in conservation efforts and a model for other nations to follow.
The initiative recognises two distinct tiers of beekeeper involvement, allowing for different levels of commitment while contributing collectively to the conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee.
1. Beekeepers (Guardian of the National Insect)
1.1. Tier 1: Declared Guardian
Tier 1 is open to any beekeeper who wishes to formally align with the conservation objectives of the Custodians of the National Insect initiative. Beekeepers joining this tier are required to voluntarily sign a declaration confirming that:
- To the best of their knowledge, their colonies are of Maltese origin
- They do not intend to import foreign honey bees
- They agree to provide bee samples for DNA analysis upon request
- They wish to replace their foreign queens with ones certified as being of Maltese origin
Participation at this level supports the creation of a national registry of beekeepers committed to safeguarding the Maltese Honey Bee and contributes directly to the establishment of conservation zones. When funds are available to genetically test the colonies of registered beekeepers under Tier 1, their details will be displayed on a dedicated page of our website. Each beekeeper will also be provided with a QR code that can be printed on honey labels. Customers can scan the code to access verified information on our website, confirming that the honey they purchased is not only Maltese but also produced by the Maltese Honey Bee, our National Insect. Beekeepers wishing to participate under Tier 1: Declared Guardian are invited to complete the application form below.
1.2. Tier 2: Supported Guardian
Tier 2 is designed for beekeepers seeking a deeper and more active role within the initiative. In addition to fulfilling and benefiting from all Tier 1 requirements and benefits, Supported Guardians will receive targeted assistance from the Foundation. This support, derived from sponsorship funding, may include financial contributions towards hives, nuclei, and other essential resources needed to establish and strengthen colonies of the Maltese Honey Bee. They will also be provided with a site where the colonies can be placed.
2. Sponsors
Sponsors play a crucial role in the Custodians of the National Insect initiative by providing the financial support necessary to establish and maintain apiaries of the Maltese Honey Bee. Contributions from sponsors help purchase beehives, nuclei, and other essential resources, ensuring that colonies of this endemic subspecies can thrive. In addition to supporting conservation, sponsors will gain recognition for their commitment to protecting Malta’s National Insect, contributing to a tangible and highly visible environmental legacy that benefits both the local community and the broader global conservation effort.
3. Proprietors
Landowners and property proprietors are invited to participate by offering suitable spaces for the rearing of Maltese Honey Bee colonies. By making land available for conservation purposes, proprietors directly contribute to the creation of protected zones that promote the species’ survival and genetic integrity. This collaboration not only supports biodiversity on their properties but also aligns them with a national initiative that safeguards Malta’s unique natural heritage, reinforcing their role as active stewards of the environment.
The Custodians of the National Insect Initiative is envisaged as a two-phase programme, beginning with an initial stakeholder engagement phase during which the three key stakeholders come together to establish collaboration, define roles and responsibilities, and lay the necessary groundwork for implementation, including beekeeper registration and the establishment of conservation zones. Once the initiative reaches sufficient scale, supported by adequate beekeeper participation and genetically verified colonies, the Foundation will proceed to the second phase: the establishment of a structured breeding programme aimed at strengthening population numbers and preserving the long-term genetic integrity of the Maltese Honey Bee. Through this phased, inclusive, and scientifically grounded approach, the Custodians of the National Insect Initiative seeks to safeguard the future of the Maltese Honey Bee by empowering beekeepers as guardians, promoting genetic integrity, and fostering national and international recognition, thereby laying the groundwork for meaningful and lasting conservation action.
Sponsors, proprietors, or beekeepers interested in becoming a Custodian of the National Insect are encouraged to contact us at info@maltesehoneybee.org Let’s protect the Maltese Honey Bee, together.
Custodians of the National Insect
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