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"Killer" Bees

You may have heard of the problem with Africanized Bees (so-called “killer bees”) invading the United States from Central America. It is believed that these bees are not only more aggressive, but also less efficient pollinators. However, in tropical parts of the world, Africanized bees are maintained by beekeepers because they are less susceptible to insecticides and are more resistant to an important pest species of honeybees, the varroa mite.

Assignment:

Visit the following websites to gain an understanding of

  • how the Africanized bees got to the western hemisphere,
  • what the differences are between Africanized and European bees, and
  • what the likely effects are of Africanized bees on beekeepers in the U.S.

WEBSITE: Insecta Inspecta World: Africanized Bees

Visit the following site to learn about Africanized bees in California

WEBSITE: Africanized bees in California

At the website above, look over the quick facts about Africanized honeybees.

  1. Where did they come from?
  2. Where are they in California?
  3. How are these bees recognized?
  4. What problems have Africanized honeybees caused in California?
  5. What can people do about Africanized honeybees?
  6. Since 1993, how many people have been killed by Africanized honeybees in the United States?
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2005-09-30 19:35