Indicator Genetic diversity of honeybees Genetic diversity of honeybees

To date, the assessment of genetic diversity has been conducted only once. A new project for a second assessment is scheduled to be put out to tender in 2029.

A trend in the genetic diversity of the honey bee in Germany cannot be discerned from the data collected nationwide for the first time. Further surveys are required for this purpose.

The molecularly characterized colonies were selected based on beekeeper density within the individual federal states and according to postal code districts. Significant genomic similarities exist between the Carnica and Buckfast populations, suggesting that interbreeding has occurred. The genetic distance between the honeybees of Carnica and Buckfast breeders remains relatively large. Furthermore, genomic inbreeding within the Buckfast population is relatively high.