‘Locally Adapted Bees: What are they and why are they important?’ with Roger Patterson, hosted by the CBKA

About the talk

All unmanaged creatures need to suit their environment, otherwise natural selection, which is ruthless, will ensure they don’t survive to influence future generations. Honey bees are unusual, in that they have both free-living and managed populations that can freely interbreed. Throughout the world, there are approaching 30 honey bee sub-species, all with their own ecotypes that have evolved to suit the conditions they live in, but don’t always thrive when introduced into other locations without artificial help from humans.
There is increasing interest by all kinds of beekeepers in keeping bees that perform well with little intervention and concerns about their welfare. This presentation discusses some of the issues in the hope it will help beekeepers understand their bees more so they can care for them better

About our Speaker

Roger Patterson is a prominent British practical beekeeper, author, lecturer, and apiary manager who began beekeeping at age 15 in West Sussex in 1963. He is a long-standing member and current President of the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA), where he features in many video’s and Live@theHive.

Roger served a full term as a BBKA Trustee, several terms as chairman and president of West Sussex Beekeeping Association and is Life President and Apiary Manager of the Wisborough Green BKA. He has been director of Bee Diseases Insurance (BDI) for many years and is currently vice president. He has organised lecture programmes for the Central Association of Bee-Keepers and the National Honey Show. He owns and maintains the famous ‘Dave Cushman’s Beekeeping Website’ an extensive online archive and resource for beekeepers of all ages, abilities and interests.