I am obsessed with pollinators. These kinds of insects are essential for life because they allow the plants to being fecundated and, consequently, us to live. The most famous ones are the bees, and people have learnt to exploit them for the honey production. Honey is a sticky but tasty food that has always been part of the human diet. Since the most antique times, humans have taken care of beehives, and it is witnessed in cave paintings. Near Valencia they have found one that is dated 5000 before Christ. Bees are interesting animals with a lot of myths and curiosities about them. Searching for information on them I have found an interesting fact about Cyprus bees. The first thing is that for number of species Cyprus is third in the Mediterranean after Lesvos and Sicily with an impressive amount of 369 species and subspecies. Among all of them there is one subspecies called Apis mellifera cypria (A.m. cypria) that is an endemic species of Cyprus. In particular honey bees does not exist outside Europe before being exported. The Cypriot one was exported to the near east and northern as well as to other parts of Europe, particularly to the south. The last continent to which they were exported is America; the USA and Canada introduced it in the market because, as an American researcher said, “Cyprian bees: a superior race (1880)”.
Genetically, the Cypriot honeybee differs from Greek bees and other Apis mellifera subspecies found in the region, showing broad homogeneity across the southern part of the island. However, in the northern part of the island, the honeybee population is closer to A. m. ligustica (Italy) and A. m. anatoliaca (Turkey) due to the import of foreign populations and queens. The Cypriot bee has specific behavioral characteristics that allow it to adapt better than other subspecies to the region’s ecosystems. Notably, it exhibits strong defensive behavior against attacks by the oriental hornet: during such attacks, the colony may either launch a large-scale assault on the invader to suffocate it or, alternatively, retreat. This behavior is associated with the barrier the colony builds at the hive entrance. Additionally, the Cypriot honeybee emits a hissing sound when attacked by hornets, a distinctive behavior compared to other subspecies, and it can enclose and suffocate hornets in a “ball” of workers. Finally, regarding colony growth over the year, maximum growth has been observed in May and minimum growth in August, with a characteristic pattern that differs from other subspecies.
Cyprus bees are deeply connected to the island’s plant life, each relying on the other for survival. The flora, especially around the Troodos Mountains, is diverse and abundant with aromatic wild herbs, while expansive citrus groves are spread across the island. This unique environment supports the production of two primary types of honey: one from thyme plants, which bloom in summer, and the other from citrus trees that flower in autumn. Additionally, two rare honeys come from wild plants with brief flowering periods—wild lavender, locally known as ‘Mirofora’ (Lavandula angustifolia), and wild-growing ‘Melissochorto’ (Melissa officinalis). The Cyprus Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the State General Laboratory, published the “Pollen Atlas of the Honey Flora of Cyprus,” documenting 120 different honey plants. This atlas classifies and identifies Cyprus’s notable honey flowers and includes microscopic examinations of their pollen grains. These plants are vital not only to honey production but also to sustaining bee populations, with each region’s flora supporting bees in harmony with seasonal plant availability and abundance in the wild.
Actually there is a problem for the bees and the beekeepers in Cyprus that is a massive migration of the bee eaters. The migration of Cyprus bee-eater birds in spring and autumn it is a natural event that catches the attention of bird watchers. Unfortunately, the beekeepers face challenged handling the problem because they might damage the hives that they take care of. It generates a response by the beekeeper of shooting the birds and illegally killing them, despite of being a protect species.
The bee eater species feeds on large insects, such as bees, bumblebees, hornets, wasps, ants, dragonflies, locusts, beetles that are hunted from high point. For nesting, this species digs its nest on earthen slopes or riverbanks and nests in small colonies. In Cyprus, only a few dozen pairs nest each year. The species is protected under Cypriot law (152(I)/2003) and European legislation (2009/147/EC). These laws allow for exemptions, but only when there are no viable alternatives, for specific purposes, and under strict, targeted control. There are different solutions that could be taken. Using reflective bands and balloons, which reflect the light, and which should surround the area where the beehives are located or using noise canons or bird alarm calls. Also, robotic falcons and encouraging raptors to nest nearby. But crucial should be the positioning of the hives. Ideally, hives should be placed more than 200 meters away from perches, such as wires or bare branches, where bee-eaters might rest before diving to catch bees or pause to remove their stings. Another helpful approach is to position beehives under bushes, as bee-eaters are “perch and dive” hunters, making the absence of suitable perches a strong deterrent. Experts and local experience indicate that combining these methods is more effective than relying on just one, with an essential factor being the goodwill and openness to try these new techniques.