Distribution of honeybee mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in an Italian region where a legislative act is protecting the Apis mellifera ligustica subspecies

Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, commonly known as the western honeybee or simply honeybee, is a highly polytypic managed pollinator species. About 30 honey bee subspecies have been described thus far, originally spread throughout its native regions, which include Europe, Africa and Western Asia1,2,3,4. Local honeybee populations and subspecies are considered well adapted to their native environments, and conserving their genetic integrity is important for the long-term sustainability of beekeeping activities and related ecosystem services, including pollination in agricultural production and agroecological systems. Read the full article on Nature.