Figures 1–4.

Bees and beekeeping in Saudi Arabia. 1 A historical apiary with traditional hives of Saudi Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner maintained over 500 years by the same family in Taif (there are many such apiaries in the area, with beekeepers maintaining these as a family tradition over numerous generations; honey from such apiaries is much costlier than those managed in Langstroth hives) 2 Entrance to a hive of Apis mellifera jemenitica in Taif 3 A traditional log hive of Apis mellifera jemenitica in Taif 4 Photograph showing size and other morphological differences between Apis mellifera jemenitica and Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann.