What is the difference between Italian and Russian bees?
Italian and Russian bees are both excellent breeds for beekeeping, although they have a tendency to swarm. Each race of bee is hard-working and can produce large amounts of honey in the right conditions. Italian bees are less aggressive and easier to requeen but are more likely to rob. The Russian breed overwinters well and has good resistance to varroa mites and other pests.

1. Appearance
The Italian bee has yellowish-brown bands on a brown abdomen. The queen is often a darker shade of orange or leathery brown, making it easier for beekeepers to spot her in the hive.

Pure Russian honey bees are typically a black or dark brown shade with pale yellow stripes. But if the hive requeens, she could mate with other drone breeds, which will alter the appearance of the colony.

2. Origin
Researchers believe Italian bees originated from the southern region of Italy. In 1859, Italian honey bees were introduced to America, where they soon replaced German bees. Italian bees are now on every continent except Antarctica.

Russian honey bees are from the Primorsky Krai region of Russia. They arrived in the United States in 1997 and have grown in popularity amongst local beekeepers.

3.Swarm tendency

Russian bees have a reputation for swarming, which they will do if they are not managed well during periods of excess nectar and pollen. Hands-on, effective hive management is often vital for keeping Russian bees in their home.

Although Russian bees often build queen cells and raise queens, they usually stay in their current hive without swarming. Worker bees destroy most queen cells before the queen emerges, but around 20% of colonies will allow two queens to coexist. This behavior would never occur in a colony of Italian bees.

Italian bees are also prone to swarming during spring buildup. The colony rapidly expands, causing half the bees to move to a new home.

Beekeepers who use Italian bees will need to take an active approach. Regular inspections during nectar flow should ensure the hive has enough space to grow.

Extra brood boxes or supers should be added early to reduce swarming tendency, whether the colony is Russian or Italian

4. Productivity
Italian and Russian bees are prolific breeds that are highly productive. With proper hive management, both will produce large quantities of honey – enough for bees and beekeepers.

While Italian bees work consistently through the warmer seasons, Russians adjust their tempo based on environmental cues. When nectar and pollen are scarce, they will scale back brood production accordingly. Once foraging improves, the colony will drastically ramp up brood and honey production. Beekeepers must keep a close eye on hive space to reduce their tendency to swarm.

5. Mite and disease resistance
Varroa and tracheal mites can destroy hives when given the opportunity. Russian bees may not be immune but have an excellent natural resistance to mites.

They are efficient housekeepers, actively grooming and uncapping cells that contain mites. This breed aggressively removes unwanted intruders from the hive. Russians may shut down their brood nests, providing mites with nowhere to hide.

Russian bees also have some resistance to American foulbrood, and early research is promising for small hive beetle.

Italian bees are more susceptible to mite infestations than Russians. They aren’t as aggressive at keeping out parasites and rear brood continuously once the cold months end. These brood cells allow mites to develop rapidly in hiding.

Purebred Russian bees are well worth considering in areas prone to mites and disease. In most cases, a well-managed thriving colony of Italian bees is also capable of maintaining a healthy mite-free hive

6. Nature
Russian bees are generally a little more aggressive than Italian bees. This is especially true when they cross with other races. Beekeepers who are used to the gentle nature of an Italian colony may notice a more defensive hive with Russian bees.

Russian bees aren’t problematic, though. A little extra smoke and a gentler inspection approach will usually result in a trouble-free interaction.

As with any breed, a Russian bee’s temperament will vary depending on factors like strain and hive conditions.

7. Wintering
Russian bees were initially introduced to the U.S. from the Primorsky Krai region in Russia. The area is a bitterly cold part of the world where bees have had to adapt to climatic conditions.

Russian bees form tight winter clusters that allow them to conserve heat efficiently. This means they are thrifty consumers of stored honey and tend to survive cold winters well.

https://beeprofessor.com/russian-bees-vs-italian-bees/