The Italian or Ligustica honey bee is the most popular in the world. Kona Queen Breeder Queens and Drone Mothers are chosen from top commercial honey producing colonies.

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These production-proven queens pass other stringent tests regarding temperament, hygienic behavior, mite tolerance, and resistance to diseases. Our Italians produce large frames of brood in a tight pattern. 

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Kona Italian queens will expand their brood patterns when stimulated and reduce brood rearing after the honey flow. These queens are selected to require less supplemental feeding than other Italian breeds. They are excellent honey producers and

less likely to swarm. 

Carniolan or Carnica honey bees are known for their ability to winter well in severe climates and build up quickly in the spring. They will work in slightly cooler conditions than the Italian queens.

Carniolan queens keep a tight brood nest with heavy stores of honey. They are conservative with their population when needed and increase quickly with the nectar flow. They are mated to our Italian drones to provide a hybrid colony with exceptional brood patterns and highly productive hives.

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Kona Carniolans pass the same stringent tests regarding temperament, hygienic behavior, mite tolerance, and resistance to diseases. Instrumental insemination is used to maintain and enhance this stock.