I believe there is a potency difference. In my first year, I kept Buckfast Bees , I had no reaction to their venom, no swelling whatsoever, maybe a little itching, then the Italians came into the picture. In the last two seasons, I've had major swelling and itching to their venom. For 2009, I will be experimenting with some hybrids or mutts, we'll see ;)
In the meantime, I'll be wearing full battle gear to keep the stingers off my skin :evil: