A Look into the World of Honeybees: 10 Buzzing Facts of The Honeybees of Hungary and Romania

One of the planets’ most remarkable creatures are the honeybee. They play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem and have fascinated us for centuries. Although they are worldwide, in Europe, Romania and Hungary stand out for their rich beekeeping traditions and on that basis, we have put together a list of ten fascinating facts about the honeybee as well as their importance to both Romania and Hungary, and beyond! 

1. Our first buzzing fact is the Honeybee’s scientific name. The honeybee is known as the Apis mellifera and is one of the most common species of bees on the planet. Its ability to not only survive but thrive in the most diverse of climates and conditions has made it a suitable resident to Transylvania's and Hungary’s varied landscapes. 
2. Our second fascinating fact about the humble honeybee is that it that is has had a long-standing tradition of being used as a vital source of food production throughout Transylvania and Hungary with beekeeping dating back many centuries and both countries are renowned for its expert beekeepers who throughout many generations have passed on their knowledge, expertise and techniques to keep this tradition alive. 
3. Our third honeybee fact is all about honey production. These bees are prolific honey producers, and with a single hive able to produce up to forty-five kilos a year (That is the same weight as 9 gallons of paint or a baby foal!) Hungary and Romania are rich with wildflowers and meadows, as well as home to the Acacia, which produces one of the best natural honeys for both taste, texture, and appearance. The rich source of nectar ensures there is an abundance of nectar for bees to be able to produce some of the best honeys in the world.  
4. Whilst the most common honeybee species is the Apis Mellifera, there are also several subspecies' honeybees found in different regions of the world and, in Transylvania and Hungary, the Apis mellifera carnica, is one, (or to give it, its common name is the Carniolan bee.), another is the Buckfast bee which is a hybrid species. Each of these subspecies have their own unique set of characteristics as well as have adapted to their resident environments.  
5. Transylvania made for honeybees! Transylvania's rolling, flower-filled meadows, picturesque landscapes, and bountiful acacia groves have made it the perfect habitat for bees to thrive. Boasting a rich biodiversity lends to the success and most importantly or all, the quality of honey as well as its distinctive flavours and attributes.  
6. Bees like to dance! It sounds weird but it is true! This is how honeybees communicate, it is also known as ‘The Waggle Dance’ This form of communication tells other bees not only the direction but also the distance of their next food source and researchers in both Hungary and Romania have carried out extensive research and studies on how these waggle dances impact on the forage and behaviours of honeybees, as well as producing many papers and documents on the subject. 
7. Prolific Pollinators! One of the most important, and critical roles of honeybees is pollination, and honeybees are workaholics when it comes to this. Not only is this important to the bees to produce honey, but also the agriculture of the regions which ensure rich harvests as well as maintaining the beautiful and vibrant flora of the regions. 
8. It is not just the honey! Bees contribute to local art and crafts! As well as honey, bees produce beeswax, and for hundreds of years this valuable and eco-friendly resource have been used in various traditional crafts, especially in Hungary and Romania where it is used to make assorted items such as candles and cosmetics as well as even been used to make traditional Easter egg decorations known as ‘pisanki.’ 
9. Bees have their own museum! In the village of Șumuleu Ciuc, Romania stands the Transylvanian Beekeeping Museum. This homage to the bee highlights the importance of bees, beekeeping, and the history of it. It is home to many exhibits such as the tools used in traditional beekeeping, traditional beehives as well as delves deep into the history and insights of this traditional Transylvanian heritage.  
10. Bees have their own festival! Hungary celebrates its rich heritage of beekeeping by hosting honey festivals. These lively events feature an extensive range of honey products, including cakes, beer as well as beeswax arts and crafts as well as providing an offering of cultural activities.  Two of the most notable of these are The Gödöllő Honey Festival, which is held near Budapest and the Göncöl Beekeepers' Day in which is in northeastern Hungary. 

So, there you have it, ten amazing and buzzing facts about honeybees and their association with Hungary and Romania, illustrating how important these creatures are to both countries as well as the significance of their ecological contribution, not just locally but to the entire world.