Friedrich Ruttner – zoologist and bee expert
A look at the life and impact of Friedrich Ruttner on the study of Apis sub-species categorisation and honeybee biology in the twentieth-century.
Throughout the twentieth century, Austrian zoologist Friedrich Ruttner (1914-1998) paved the way for better understanding and identification of the various sub-species of Apis mellifera (the honeybee). His impact on the beekeeping and scientific communities went further than this though. Through his support of publications and research, discoveries were made about the Varroa mite and queen breeding. He also helped to link researchers from across the world.
In this week’s Honeybee Histories essay, we explore the life and work of Friedrich Ruttner, touching on how he impacted our understanding of honeybees in the twentieth century.