The Africanized Honey Bee

The "Africanized" Honey Bee

What is the "Africanized Honey Bee? In the 1950's imported bees from Africa being studied in laboratories in Brazil escaped and established colonies in the wild. Since the African bee could hybridize (cross-breed) with local European Honeybees, hybrid or "Africanized" bees were produced by matings between the escape bees and honey bees being kept in Brazil. The hybrid bee was more vigorous in some ways, which has allowed it to spread throughout the range where honey bees occur. These hybrids are now found throughout Central America, Mexico and the southern parts of the United States. It is a hybrid bee, with the behavioral characteristics of the imported African honey bee, that is now called the "Africanized" honey bee.

Unlike the European honey bee which has been selectively bred for its gentle nature, the escape strain of African bees exhibit strongly defensive behaviors against intruders to their hives. This is an appropriate behavior for bees living in open savannahs where large hoofed animals might easily disturb or destroy a hive. Unfortunately, these bees are able to freely hybridize with European honey bees, and produce colonies that sense intruders more quickly, are easily disturbed, and react to threats in large numbers.

Africanized bees have had a great impact on beekeepers who handle bees on a routine basis. Beekeepers have learned the importance of monitoring hive behavior, and regularly "re-queening" their hives to insure that the genetic stock (all the offspring!) of a hive are of European honey bee descent.

In the spring, any colony of bees can build up to large numbers which results in a natural division of the hive in the process of swarming. Wild swarms of bees may be observed in trees, under the eaves of houses, or in abandoned buildings. The safest action for anyone who sees a wild swarm is to contact someone who removes swarms and let an experienced beekeeper remove the bees to an appropriate place. logswarm

Common sense for outdoor activities when bees might be encountered include: watching for large numbers of bees (more than 20) and listen for buzzing. If you believe bee are in the area, ---leave. Scout campsites for bees and do not let pets investigate logs or rock piles where bees might be nesting. Do not enter or let children play in culverts or drains where bees (or wasps) may have colonies.

The only appropriate response to any swarm of bee is, get far away, fast! Penned or confined animals are in danger from enraged bees if they do not have a way to escape.

Remember, bees are not bad. Approximately 200,000 honey bee colonies in Texas produce honey and other products and services valued at $9 million to $11 million each year.

Researchers at Texas A&M University continue to study the Africanized honey bee in Texas. They are the experts and can scientifically determine if bees are "Africanized" only if a sample is submitted to the Honey Bee Identification Lab. For further information contact them at (409) 847-8771.

A state quarantine continues in Texas for control of the Africanized honey bee. For the latest news, see this press release with a map of the affected counties.

Here is a map that shows the places and dates of the Africanized honey bee spread north. For more information, here is an 86K pdf file you can download which is an excellent article on the AHB by Malcolm Sanford.

A most interesting page chronicles a novices encounter with the AHB. As a biologist, I felt the same connection as when I watched The Gods Must Be Crazy. Go here if you must; good luck, Ed.

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Last modified 8 January 1999