These bees that live freely
Although they are few in number, wild or feral colonies of A. mellifera mellifera do indeed exist in nature and are resistant to Varroa due to their small size, their tendency to swarm, the low density of the habitat, and probably through natural selection. Studies also show that these strains of black bees are pure, without hybridization. Consequently, researchers argue for the development of a conservation policy for these bee populations, because they constitute a wild taxon that is probably in decline, but also an interesting genetic reservoir from a beekeeping perspective.
by Janine KIEVITS
The honey bee is naturally present in Europe, as well as in Asia and Africa. Until quite recently, beekeeping remained a mixed practice involving both the keeping of colonies and the capture of wild swarms; moreover, beekeepers return to nature those swarms that escape them, which are then referred to as feral. The distinction between feral and wild colonies is most often impossible, because they generally do not differ genetically; in addition, they are always able to interbreed (Leclercq et al. 2018).
Nevertheless, it is a widespread view that wild or feral colonies scarcely exist anymore, notably because they have been decimated by varroosis (Browne et al. 2018; Leclercq 2018; Requier et al. 2019). However, French and American studies—previously discussed in these pages (1)—clearly report the existence of such colonies and explain their survival by the fact that their living conditions are unfavorable to the development of the mite (small colony size with frequent swarming, very low habitat density, natural selection). Wherever they are sought, they are found—for example in Poland along roadside trees (Oleksa et al. 2012), or in the forests of Bashkiria—a republic of the Russian Federation south of the Urals—where these colonies have been exploited for centuries (Ilyasov et al. 2015).
It is therefore known that colonies of bees still exist that are not subject to human management; however, their number is unknown. Searching for them is laborious, as their density is low and their nests are inconspicuous. Their existence is most often discovered when they settle in buildings. In nature, however, the bee is a forest-dwelling animal, nesting in hollow tree trunks or rock cavities; even if one happens to notice such a colony during a walk, systematically recording them is a demanding task. Nonetheless, a few recent studies have attempted this, as scientists are increasingly interested in these bees that live “freely.”
Free-living honey bees in Europe: occurrence, ecological role and conservation perspectives
The Western honey bee is native to Europe and historically existed both under human management and in natural habitats. In addition to managed colonies, feral and wild-living colonies continue to exist. These populations are generally genetically similar to managed bees and capable of interbreeding. Contrary to the widespread belief that Varroa destructor has eliminated wild colonies, recent studies document their persistence in several European countries and beyond.
In Ireland, a public survey identified 170 unmanaged colonies, with 70 genetically analysed. Most belonged to the native subspecies Apis mellifera mellifera. Several colonies survived at least one winter, and some had persisted for many years without human intervention. Although many were located in buildings, this reflects detection bias rather than true habitat preference.
German studies focused on old-growth beech forests, combining direct nest searches with tracking of foraging bees from artificial feeding stations. Cavities created by black woodpeckers were frequently occupied by honey bees. Observed minimum densities ranged between 0.11 and 0.13 colonies per km². Extrapolation to suitable forest areas suggests several thousand free-living colonies in Germany alone.
A broader European model, based on cavity availability and occupancy rates, estimates slightly over 80,000 forest-dwelling colonies across Europe (excluding Russia), representing roughly 2% of managed colonies. This figure may be conservative, as other nesting habitats such as rock crevices or buildings were not fully included.
Ecologically, honey bees contribute significantly to pollination in natural habitats. They are the sole visitors of 4.5% of documented plant taxa and the primary visitors of 17.3%. However, nearly half of plant taxa are never visited by honey bees and depend entirely on other pollinators, highlighting functional complementarity within pollinator communities.
The authors advocate for specific conservation strategies for wild honey bee populations, viewing them both as a potentially declining native species and as a valuable genetic reservoir for apiculture. Reassessment of their conservation status at European level is proposed. Overall, free-living honey bees constitute a genuine and ecologically meaningful component of European ecosystems, warranting further research and protection.
See also:
- What Wild Colonies Teach Us
- Apis mellifera & Other Apis Species
- Varroa Resistance
- Varroa-Resistant Bees
- Defining Honey Bee Races
- Solitary Bees
