Lethal Killers: Africanized Bees

Africanized Honey Bees, or more commonly known as killer bees, can be very dangerous. They are known for having a very defensive nature, and are much more apt to sting than a European Honey Bee. Africanized Honey Bees found their start in  North America by European Honey Bees interbreeding with bees that came from Africa sometime in the 1950s. They are so deadly because of the fact that they will do anything to protect their hive, and are rapid to sting anyone who intrudes on their territory. This could mean you just being near the hive without bothering it at all. Also, many more Africanized Honey Bees out of a colony come out when disturbed, thus producing many more stings in a shorter period of time. They are also known to chase people for long distances. This is a recipe for disaster for anyone who might not have a chance to escape. If you disturb an Africanized Honey Bee, be ready for a battle that you are not used to from a typical European Honey Bee. 

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/bees/ahb.htm

If you think these bees are much different than a regular honey bee, then you are right and wrong. They are different in their aggressiveness and defense systems, but they are very similar in appearance. One of the only ways to tell if you have Africanized Honey Bees instead of European Honey Bees is to see them under a microscope. Another way to tell these bees apart is that they have different forms of DNA, which can be analyzed. 

Africanized Bees Are also known for their swarming and nesting techniques. They swarm much more frequently than a European Honey Bee. They also nest in weird areas that are not typical of European Honey Bees. These sites can include places near your home, such as under overturned pots or any open cavities they can find in the ground. This can make them extremely dangerous due to the fact of their aggressive nature and that they are so close in proximity to populated areas. 

These Africanized Bees do not sound like anything you want to run into, unless you want aggression and multiple stings. If you receive enough of these stings, they can kill.  I definitely would not want to see or hear about these bees being anywhere I am living now or in the future. They can become a problem, and can become dangerous if provoked in the slightest. 


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