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African Hybridized Honeybees

Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

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Africanized honey bees are a hybrid between European and African bee subspecies which were inadvertently released in Brazil in the 1950s. They have spread to the south as far as northern Argentina and to the north into the United States, as well as throughout much of South and Central America. They entered Texas in 1990, Arizona and New Mexico in 1993, and California in 1994. European bees have long been established in much of the United States, including California. Following colonization, unmanaged bee populations are replaced or mixed with Africanized Honey Bee. African honeybees, or "killer bees" [see <killer.htm>] as they frequently are called, have invaded North America from South America through Mexico. Their first appearance in south Texas in spring of 1991 was accompanied by an increase in attacks on humans, and they have since become widespread in California and Arizona by 1999 (Legner, unpub. data; Taylor 1985). A public health problem may be expected within a year of the invasion as people become aware of these bees and succumb to their attacks. However, studies on honeybee behavior at higher latitudes in South America suggest that the public health threat is not as great as these bees' notoriety (Taylor 1985). Nevertheless, mosquito abatement districts in California will undoubtedly be called upon for information about how to deal with the bees and perhaps to exterminate feral colonies. Most of the characteristics that distinguish African bees from European bees, such as aggressiveness, early-day mating times, degrees of pollen and honey hoarding, etc. are thought to be quantitative and, therefore, under the control of polygenic systems. Unfortunately, because of difficulties inherent in studying quantitative traits in honeybees, knowledge of this phase of their genetics is scant. In fact Taylor (1985) acknowledge that there is an overall limited understanding of honeybee genetics. Thus, we really cannot predict what will occur following hybridization of African and European races because practically all opinions are derived from their behavior in South America (Kerr et al. 1982, McDonnell 1984, Rinderer et al. 1982, 1984; Taylor 1985). Perhaps some indications can be obtained from other groups of Hymenoptera.

Immigration of africanized honey bee results in a greater density of highly defensive bee colonies. Africanized honey bee respond to activity near their colonies with increased numbers of stinging bees over much greater distances. This can make them life-threatening, especially to people allergic to stings or with limited capacity to escape (the young, old and handicapped), and to confined livestock or pets. In each country into which they have migrated, they have killed humans and animals. Beekeeping is also disrupted by africanized honey bees, which are more difficult to manage and transport. Maintaining colonies of European bees in areas with africanized honey bees is the best defense, but to do so beekeepers face greater expense, more difficulty finding sites for bees because of public fear, and greater liability concerns.

The United States has had effective public education and control practices, and few people have been or will be killed. If the country were fully colonized by africanized honey bees, bee and queen sales ($11 million) would end or be sharply reduced, resulting in reduced numbers of beekeepers and colonies which would lower honey and wax production ($42 million) as well as pollination rental income ($122 million). More significantly, the annual value added by honey bee pollination of agricultural crops in California in 2005 exceeded $3.9 billion; reductions in managed bee colonies have resulted in substantially increased costs and decreased yields in many fruit, nut, vegetable, and seed crops. Publicity about "killer bees" may also have minor impacts on tourism and outdoor activities.

As of 2008 Africanized bees had colonized all southern California counties, and the southern Central Valley. Though Africanized Honey Bee spread has slowed, in time, their range may expand to much of coastal California and the Central Valley. These bees can be expected to thrive in urban, agricultural, and some recreational areas.

REFERENCES:

Caron, D. M. 2001. Africanized Honey bees in the Americas. The A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio, USA. 228 pp.

Hepburn, H. R. & S. E. Radloff. 1998. Honeybees of Africa. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany. 370 pp.

Kern, W. H. 2007. Keeping Africanized bees out of wildlife nest boxes. EDIS. (21 November 2012).

Legner, E. F. 1990. Might wary genes attenuate Africanized honeybees? Proc. Calif. Mosq. & Vector Contr. Assoc., Inc. 57: 106-109.

O'Malley, M. K., J. D. Ellis & C. M. Z Nalen. 2009. Swarm trapping for pest control operators. EDIS. (23 November 2009)

O'Malley, M. K., J. D. Ellis & C. M. Z Nalen. 2009. Differences between European and African honey bees. EDIS 23 November 2009.

O'Malley, M. K., J. D. Ellis & C. M. Z Nalen. 2007a. Bee-proofing for Florida citizens. EDIS 17 January 2008.

O'Malley, M. K., J. D. Ellis & C. M. Z Nalen. 2007b. What to do about African honey bees: A consumer guide. EDIS 17 January 2008.

O'Malley, M. K., J. D. Ellis & C. M. Z Nalen. 2007c. African honey bee information for school administrators. EDIS 17 January 2008.

O'Malley. M. K. & J. D. Ellis. 2008. Unif. of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab (14 January 2008).

Winston, M. L.. 1992. Killer Bees: The Africanized honey bee in the Americas. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachutes, USA. 176 pp.

Winston, M. L., O. R. Taylor & G. W. Otis. 1983. Some differences between temperature of European and tropical African and South American honeybees. Bee World 64: 12-21.

Wright, S. 1968. Evolution and the genetics of populations. Vol. I. Genetic and Biometric Foundations, Univ. of Chicago press, Chicago, Illinois. 469. p.