6 bee races from Selected Lines.
Selected Line
Developed in Saskatchewan, Canada by Albert Robertson through a closed population breeding program. Saskatraz bees combine Varroa resistance, high honey production, and good overwintering in a gentler package than Russian bees. They have gained a loyal following among commercial beekeepers in the northern U.S. and Canada since becoming commercially available.
$150 - $280 per package
Selected Line
Bred at the University of Minnesota by Dr. Marla Spivak through selection for hygienic behavior. These bees detect and remove diseased or parasitized brood before pathogens can spread. Based on Italian stock, so they share the Italian temperament and productivity but with measurably better housekeeping. The gold standard for disease-resistant Italian-type bees.
$140 - $260 per package
Selected Line
Developed at the USDA Baton Rouge Bee Lab specifically for the ability to detect and remove Varroa-infested pupae. VSH bees uncap cells containing reproducing mites and remove the affected brood, breaking the Varroa reproductive cycle. They work best when the VSH trait is expressed strongly, which requires buying from breeders who test their stock.
$150 - $300 per mated queen
Selected Line
Selected by Purdue University researchers for leg-biting behavior against Varroa mites. These bees physically chew on mites, damaging their legs and bodies. Studies show colonies with strong biting behavior carry significantly lower mite loads. The trait can be bred into existing stocks, and several queen breeders now offer Ankle Biter queens.
$140 - $280 per mated queen
Selected Line
Developed by the USDA Baton Rouge Bee Lab as a more commercially practical version of VSH stock. Pol-line bees retain strong Varroa resistance through hygienic behavior while maintaining the honey production and temperament that commercial beekeepers need. They are the result of crossing VSH stock with commercial Italian lines over multiple generations.
$150 - $280 per mated queen
Selected Line
A catch-all term for locally adapted bees that have survived without chemical treatments for five or more years. Not a single breed but a management philosophy. Survivor stock beekeepers let colonies live or die based on their own genetic fitness, then propagate from the survivors. Results vary by region, but established survivor yards often show strong mite tolerance and excellent local adaptation.
$100 - $250 per nuc (varies widely by source)