Origin and Spread of Africanized Bees#
1 . How did Africanized bees get into our hemisphere?
African bees (Apis mellifera scutellata) were brought to tropical Brazil in 1956 by bee experts who hoped to increase honey production through a crossbreeding program with the domesticated European honey bee (EHB). In 1957, 26 swarms headed by African queens were released accidentally, and hybrid descendants have been moving Northward ever since. Hence the term “Africanized Honey Bee” (AFB) is a common name given to a race of honey bees whose genetic line emerged from the initial escape of African bees in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
2 . When did the Africanized bees enter the US?
The first known AHBs to enter the U.S. from Mexico occurred in the Rio Grande River Valley near Hidalgo, Texas on October 15,1990. The AHBs have now spread mostly westward in the U.S. and are now found in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. Although isolated AHB colonies have been discovered in other regions of the U.S such as Florida. Louisiana and Alabama.
3 . Have we had Africanized bees in Georgia?
Yes, 2010, Dougherty County, Georgia (Albany, Georgia).
4 . What is the difference between European honey bees and Africanized honey bees?
Unlike the docile EHB common in the United States, the AHB quickly defends its hive with an over abundant number of bees and will pursue intruders over longer distances.
5 . Is the venom of the Africanized bee any more potent than that of the European bee?
No, one sting from an AHB bee is no more painful or dangerous than a sting from any other honey bee, but AHBs tend to sting with less provocation and in greater numbers than other honey bees.
6 . Do the Africanized bees need to be threatened before they attack like the European bees?
Stinging attacks occur only when the AHB’s nest or territory is threatened by an intruder. In some cases, the noise or vibration of tractors or motor boats has provoked the bees to sting.
7 . Is it possible to identify the African honey bee from the European honey bee by just a casual examination?
No, the AHB is slightly smaller than the EHB. For conclusive identification, specialized identification techniques must be used to distinguish the AHB from the EHB