The Bashkir bee, or, as many people call it, the Burzyan bee, is largely different from all its relatives. In its genus, it is considered one of the largest, the body of its unusual color for us - there is no pronounced yellow color, and in general it may seem that the insect is dark blue. This article will tell in detail about the Burzyan breed of bees, its description, photo, character and performance are presented.
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Dark colored bees make up the majority of all bee species living in Europe. The described breed belongs to the species of Central Russian bees.
Differences between the Burzyanskaya breed of bees and the Central Russian one, to which it was ranked, are still there, but insignificant. This is:
- low winter hardiness;
- the development of the Burzyan breed occurred, although in a natural way, but without mixing with other breeds;
- longfly-free period - up to 180 days;
- mating is violent, but short-lived.
In addition to anatomical differences, there is another thing - the production of first-class honey!
Appearance
In its natural habitat, the Burzyan bee is the largest in comparison with other representatives of its species. It is very easy to distinguish this bee from ordinary bees - by the absence of the usual yellow stripes on the body. There are stripes, but they are dark gray, some even see a blue tint.
Despite the large size of the body, the proboscis of the Burzyan wild bee is shorter than that of its congeners, and reaches only 5 or 6 mm.
Quality indicators
Such bees will not fly out for the spring flight until the air warms up to at least seven degrees in shaded places. Weather conditions also strongly influence, to the change of which the Burzyan bee is very sensitive. For example, they perfectly feel that a downpour will soon begin, and in a friendly swarm they return from work to the hive. Expert bees use this ability to predict skillfully.
But even the heat does not suit these hard workers, in hot weather the bees will not fly out of the houses.
Despite its finicky weather preferences, if the number of honey plants is small, the Bashkir bee will work in the presence of fog and light drizzle.
Working hours
Tireless workers, Burzyan bees are able to work 16 hours a day. Linden and buckwheat, including wild buckwheat, are especially carefully processed by them. Honey these bees createbeautiful color.
The main value of the breed is intensive honey collection and the highest productivity. When compared with many other breeds, the Burzyan bee is slightly inferior in quantity, but not in quality.
New honey plants such bees master rather slowly, so it is not recommended to change the situation abruptly.
Character
Working with the Burzyanskaya breed of bees is quite problematic, it is necessary to wear a protective suit every time you inspect the hive. These bees show aggression when viewed, they gather in a swarm, group and hang a formidable "beard" on their house.
Bees show aggression when working with hives, you need to be very careful!
This breed does not like attention, and all individuals hide from prying eyes in the most remote corners of houses.
Change of the uterus is also problematic. The family is strongly attached to their former queen, even if she is from the wild. Problems during the change of the queen are especially strongly reflected in the strengthening before the wintering of the colony.
Rolliness
Problems of working with the Burzyan bee also arise due to the love of a large family for swarming, and the described Bashkir individuals love this business more than other breeds.
Swarming starts from the 2nd week of June and lasts until the main honey flow. At the end of this period, you can inspect the hive, it should contain many cells with queen bees - from 8 to 14.
Features of the Bashkir bee
The favorite nectar of these bees is buckwheat and linden. But even in the absence of such plants in the apiary, hard workers will find something to do. The best option in this case is monofloral honey collection.
One of the distinguishing qualities of honey from the Burzyan bee is the attractive appearance of honey, which is caused by the setting of a whitish dry signet by the bee.
The bees go out to work early - at five in the morning, and in good weather they can return to the hive only by 10 pm.
This breed tolerates wintering well and does not need a lot of food.
The small amount of honey produced is well offset by the amount of selected propolis.
Bees are actively building new combs, which should not be ignored.
Honey differences
Some people still prefer to collect wild honey than to engage in apiaries. But this method is not so attractive financially, and the difference in honey quality is noticeable.
Wild honey is mostly valued for its maturity, as it is harvested only once a year. In wild honey, there is a high concentration of bee bread and wax, in contrast to what is collected by pumping. Also honey from wild hives in darker colors.
Tart taste and special aroma of honey gives a huge concentration of nutrients and the complete absence of harmful impurities.
Burzyan bee honey is produced for sale through airborne beekeeping, meaning the bees remain wild, but farmers maintain their hives. This method is necessary to maintainpopulation size, and this breed is already listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan as an endangered species.
Cut to extinction
Photos of the Burzyan bee are presented in our article. This insect is not as attractive as other breeds of bees, but still carries great value. Today, the population of the Burzyan bee is very small. Therefore, work is underway to maintain the breed.
The decrease in the population is associated with a critical decrease in the natural habitat of the Burzyan bee. For mating, both drones and queens fly tens of kilometers from their hives.
Monument to the Burzyan bee in Ufa
Bashkortostan has long been famous for its high-quality honey. A monument to the main honey producer, the bee, was placed on one of the squares of the capital of Ufa.
Several sculptors worked on the project. The monument was the work of the author's work of masters from Holland.
The monument is an empty metal structure. With the onset of spring, the monument is filled with soil, in which the seeds of flowering plants are planted. Then the "bed" is watered, and over time it blooms with a variety of flowers that delight the eyes of passers-by, making even a rainy day more colorful!
No wonder the monument to the Burzyan bee is a favorite meeting place. Thousands of tourists come to the square every year to personally see such beauty.
The square with a blooming bee has become the main venue for various city holidays. herselfthe statue is unofficially called a symbol of friendship between peoples.
For the winter time, the statue is freed from the ground, and the structure is removed for storage so that precipitation does not damage it and the bee can again delight the eyes next year!
