Africanized+Honeybee+-+Brandon+Dutter

 __**General Information**__

Africanized Honey Bees (AHBs) (scientific name //Apis mellifera scutellata//) (2), also called Africanized bees or killer bees, are descendants of southern African bees imported in 1956 by Brazilian scientists attempting to breed a honey bee better adapted to the South American tropics. Worker bees measure at about 2/5-3/5 inches, whole the Queen bee is normally about 3/5-3/4 inches. Drones are about 3/4-5/8 inches. They weigh very little. (1)

 European and Africanized queen bees are responsible for reproduction. Drones mate with the queen bee, and the queen stores sperm from them and uses it when she wants to reproduce. The workers, which are primarily sterile females, are responsible for defending the colony from danger and collecting nectar/pollen. (1) Africanized Honey Bees get their nutrition from pollenating flowers and such, much like any other bee. However, these bees differ from native bees in that they are much more aggressive. They have barbed stingers, and when they sting a human, they leave the stinger and a sac of venom in the person. The bee dies shortly after, however the stinger continues to pump venom into the skin until the sac and stinger are removed. (1) AHBs' venom are no more poisonous than that of European and American honeybees, but they are far more defensive if they are agitated. AHBs have approximately 10 times the stinging response than European honey bees. Many small things can disturb them, and they are extremely persistant in their attack. Reports have shown that AHBs have a tendency to go as far as a quarter miile from their nest just to chase an intruder. (1) AHBs have the advantage over other honey bees in that they are more aggressive towards disturbances, and can adapt to climates and situations just as easily, if not easier.
 * __Detailed Description__** [[image:http://i.livescience.com/images/ig02_honeybee_09.jpg width="250" height="250" align="right" caption="This Africanized Honey Bee is chillin'"]]


 * __Habitat and Distribution__**

Africanized Honey Bees are native to Africa, but they were first hybridized in South America. They were brought to South America in the early to mid 1900s, and were first introduced to the United States in 1990, found in southern Texas. They extend their range at a rate of about 200 miles per year. (2)


 * __Impacts__**

Africanized Honey Bees are a hybridization between African Honey Bees (originally brought to Brazil in 1956) and honey bees brought to the new world by European colonists. Each year, honey bees add about $10 billion to the worth of over 90 crops in the United States of America. They produce about $150 million dollars worth of honey per year, as well. (1) However, AHBs are much harder to manage, and may produce less honey.They are more aggressive towards beekeepers and are much more likely to attack. (1) Africanized Honey Bees atta ck humans that disturb them or their nest, and have even killed humans, in very rare cases. They are extremely persistant and if a person is alergic to bee stings and is attacked by AHBs, they are pretty much goners. (2)

[[image:http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/sep/stories/photos/bee2.jpg width="277" height="189" align="left"]]
__**History**__

Africanized Honey Bees were orig inally brought to the Americas from Africa to South America in 1956. They have gradually been moving farther and farther north, coming through central America, Mexico, and eventually into Texas in 1990. They are a hybridization between European Honey Bees (EHBs) and African Honey Bees. In Africa, it was very temperate and humid. It was also temperate and humid in Brazil, and since then, the species have been very adaptive. (3)

__**Control Measures**__

The only control measures being taken are Pest Control agencies for individual AHB problems. We do not actively try to climinate these species. Often times, individuals who live in areas with heavy AHB populations will try to "bee-proof" their homes, garages, sheds, etc., by filling any 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch holes and larger with caulking, screen, or patches. (3)

__**Do's and Don'ts of AHB Attacks**__

"-//Do// run. Run away as fast as possible. Get into a building or vehicle if you can. -//Do// try to cover your face and head as you run. -//Do// call 911. -//Do// start removing stingers from your skin once you are away from the bees, You can remove them by scraping, pulling, or using sticky tape (or a credit card). Do not leave the stingers in longer than necessary, as they will continue to pump venom. -//Don't// stop to remove stingers until you are safely away from the attacking bees. -//Don't// jump into water. This only works in cartoons. The bees will see you and wait for you to come up for air. -//Don't// panic." (3)

1. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg- fact/2000/2124.html 2. http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/ animals/afrhonbee.shtml 3. http://acwm.co.la.ca.us/scripts/AHB.htm