Sicily has been the home of the Black Bee for millennia, but it was in danger of extinction after being abandoned in the 1970s. Sicilian beekeepers got rid of their traditional, rectangular beehives made from dried fennel stalks and began importing the ‘Apis mellifera ligustica’ from northern Italy. Continual use of chemicals in agriculture, also contributed to its near-extinction.

Fortunately, this was prevented by the research of a Sicilian entomologist, Pietro Genduso, who studied them for years, after the classification of the species by Montagano in 1911. Genduso transmitted his passion to a student, Carlo Amodeo, who is still a breeder of pure Sicilian queen bees and one of the founding members of the Associazione Allevatori Apis Millifera Siciliana, of which Nero d’Ape is an associate.

the associazione allevatori apis millifera siciliana

Established in 2012, this voluntary and nonprofit Association promotes the protection and conservation of the native Sicilian Apis Mellifera species, in order to prevent its extinction and increase its genetic variability.

It implements numerous initiatives for the benefit of its associates, by organising conventions, conferences, courses, studies and research, in relation to various issues. These include the breeding techniques of queen bees, pure breeding, the management of protected areas for the protection of the genetic heritage of the Sicilian Apis Mellifera and many more.