Morphometric identification of honey bee subspecies reveals a high proportion of hybrids within a Mediterranean protected area

The importance of natural protected areas for the preservation locally adapted subspecies (or local genotype) honey bees has been recently emphasized in literature. In western Europe, initiatives have emerged to protect native i.e., Western European dark bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Here, we investigated bee diversity a Mediterranean area, Calanques National Park, near Marseille, France. We found that population is mainly composed hybrids between and intermissa. These might better resistance Varroa mite adaptation arid climate. Before promoting subspecies, mellifera, it appears essential identify used by beekeepers areas.