Morphological characteristics of honey bees of the Volga region

Declining bee populations and decreasing marketability of apiaries pose the necessity for a comprehensive monitoring of the morphological characteristics of honeybees. The monitoring was performed in an introgressive aspect for the first time in the Volga region (Samara region) to preserve the local population of the Middle Russian race (Apis mellifera mellifera L.). Moreover, the race of queen bees was identified through the assessment of drones. Based on the race identification, small population structures of the native forest bee were revealed, which is a prerequisite for restoration of its genetic resources with the corresponding restriction of the import of bees from the southern regions where other taxonomic groups are bred.