The Nordic brown bee (''Apis mellifera mellifera'') was the first honey bee subspecies {{#info: a biological classification category ranking below a species; a genetically distinct population which can reproduce with populations of the same species where they overlap geographically | <icon> }} to colonize northern Europe, which is why it has adapted to northern environments in many ways. The Nordic brown bee was also the first subspecies to be farmed for honey production in these areas. Now, this unique bee’s existence is threatened in its native habitat. The remaining populations of this unique bee can only be conserved with successful practical beekeeping. This is why we need more beekeepers who are interested in and able to keep ''Apis mellifera mellifera'' bees.
Because [[File:Ammmap.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Approximate natural distribution of long-term adaptation to the Nordic environment, the Nordic brown bee has some special features in its physiology, behaviorApis mellifera subspecies. The distribution of Apis mellifera mellifera includes The British Isles, Scandinavia and in its responses to the environmentBaltic countries. All this must be taken into account during the management and handling of the bee colony. This wiki is designed to help you find practical and suitable management techniques for keeping Nordic brown beesTaken from De la Rúa et al.2009]]
If you’re considering keeping Because of long-term adaptation to the Nordic (''A. m. mellifera'') beesenvironment, you don’t have the Nordic brown bee has some [[Winter to start with them. You canSpring| special features]] in its physiology, by all meansbehavior, learn and in its responses to the basic skills environment. All this must be taken into account during the set up of beekeeping with other subspecies, like Italian (the [[Hive construction and bee yard|bee yard and it''A. m. ligustica'') or Craniolan (''A. m. carnica'') bees, s hives]] as well as the management and change your bees to ''A[[Opening and handling the bee colony|handling]] of the bee colony. m. mellifera'' bees later. Please keep in mind though, that this This wiki contains information specifically tailored is designed to Brown help you find practical and suitable management techniques for keeping Nordic brown bees.
One reason one might want to start with another bee subspecies is that they are more widely found and thus easier to obtainIf you’re considering keeping Nordic (''A. Furthermore one should m. mellifera'') bees, please find out what type of bees are already found in the vicinity of where one wants you want to establish a bee yard. [[Cross-breeding]] is a danger when different subspecies are found close to one another and at least uncontrolled hybridization {{#info: a biological process in which two individuals of different taxonomic categories, for example subspecies, interbreed and produce offspring | <icon> }} should be avoided.
If your aim is professional honey production, you should consider choosing have decided to get ''A. m. mellifera'' bees other than , you have to find a [[Nordic brown beesbee breeders | Nordic brown bee breeder]]. WHY? But if the conservation Keep in mind that you don’t have to have an entire colony of Nordic bees at first. Instead, you can just get a rare subspecies of bee mated pure ''A. m. mellifera'' queen and replace the associated cultural heritage is something queen in an existing colony with that you would enjoy being queen. The new queen will then produce new offspring of her own subspecies in a part couple ofmonths, then and the whole colony will gradually turn into Nordic brown bee bees. Sometimes, however, it is for you!difficult to introduce an ''A. m. mellifera'' queen to a different subspecies’ colony. For some advice on this issue, check [[here]].
