2 euro - Maltese Honey Bee - Malta - 2024 - Coincard - BU

2 euro commemorative in Coincard dedicated to the native honey bee of Malta, BU.

The Maltese honey bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) is a subspecies of the western honey bee, endemic to the Maltese islands which are situated in the Mediterranean Sea.
The bee is of relatively dark colour and has shown an ability to defend itself against local predacious wasps.
The subspecies is named after Professor Friedrich Ruttner, an expert in honey bee queen breeding and also in the intra-specific taxonomy of the Apis mellifera.
In 2022 a foundation was set up to help in the conservation and promotion of the A. m. ruttneri. The organization aims for the A. m. ruttneri to be recognized in terms of Malta's sustainable apiculture, ecology" and natural heritage.