17/01/2026
Black bees in Lanzarote.
Holidaying on this wonderful island of Lanzarote I thought i might find out about the type of honey bee that is found here and it happens to be the Canary Black Bee. In the north of the island about 210 hives are spread accross the land from Teguise, Guatiza to Haria which have produced local honey for more than 20 years, all thanks to the beekeeper Manolo Zerpa and of course the black bee.
Beekeepers from Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and La Palma are obliged to work with the Canary black bee in their hives.
Although it may seem that there is little vegetation for the bees to forage from on this arid island there is a varied array of flowers available for them, and as for any honey bee throughout the world they will work less on a cold day and more on hot days, and at all times keeping the hive temperature constant.
Sadly these bees as all bees around the globe, are threatened by global warming, prolonged droughts, and alteration of flowering processes along with the potential arrival of invasive species from Asia that feed on bees. Humans also are having a negative impact on these pollinators with the use of toxic products such as pesticides and fungicides. There is a project in place on the island in order to raise awareness about the importance of being careful with the use of these products.
Apparently the Canary black bee, due to their genetics and as well as a conscious effort to prevent other species from being imported from abroad and interbreeding, is very docile and in turn can be handled without gloves.
And as for the honey from these bees, well I’m off on a trip tomorrow to purchase what I’m sure will be some very tasty black bee honey.
