Volume 2 -------------------- January 4, 2011 --------------------Number 2
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The Truth About Africanized Bees
by David Burns, EAS certified Master Beekeeper
Beekeepers in the US keep honey bees known as Apis mellifera ligustica (Italians) or Apis mellifera carnica (Carniolans) and a few others known as European
bees (EBH). But one that seems to get everyone's attention is Apis mellifera scutellata, the Africanized honey bee (AHB).
The Africanized honey is often presented in a very negative light, usually being called "killer bees". Unfortunately, this is how some people view all stinging insects.
Even beekeepers speak negatively about "bees from the south" fearing all bees in the south are Africanized.
I have heard so many false statements, incorrect information and rumors about the Africanized bees, that I decided to present a list of bullet points about the
Africanized bee in comparison to the European bee. Keep it handy and educate yourself so that you can speak with accuracy about the differences.
*Side by side no noticeable difference can be observed by the naked eye. Under a microscope a trained eye can observe that the Africanized bee is ever so
slightly smaller than our European bee.
*There is no difference in the stinging apparatus or the poison sack or amount of venom of AHB or EHB.
*AHB entered the US (Texas) in 1990.
*AHB colonies develop more quickly than EHB.
*AHB worker bees emerge on day 18, whereas EHB workers emerge on day 21.
*AHB workers only live 12-18 days. EHB workers live 35 days.
*AHB are 10 times more likely to sting than EHB.
*AHB store significantly less honey than EHB.
*AHB cells are slightly smaller in diameter.
*AHB gather honey at cooler temperatures and less light than EHB.
*AHB foragers earlier and later than EHB.
*EHB former tighter winter clusters that AHB.
*AHB are prolific at swarming to take over an area.
*AHB will react faster to a hive intrusion, chase the attacker further and will remain defensive longer than EHB.
*During the first 3 years AHB was in the US, only one person died from stings of AHB.
*AHB & EHB are mostly the same away from the hive, while foraging.
*AHB are known for absconding.
*AHB can be found below ground level, but not EHB.
*AHB store little honey because they would rather have more bees than more honey.
*Many beekeepers are very skilled at working AHB bees.
*AHB show resistance toward many pests & diseases that can overtake EHB.
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IN THE NEWS....
Marina Marchese Gives Up Her Successful Career & Becomes A Beekeeper...Read More
For Marina Marchese beekeeping is a more enjoyable career. She gave up her job as a successful creative director for a New York company
and returned to her Italian heritage and became a beek eeper. She's even written a book, Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
Not Only Are Honey Bees In Trouble, But Now Our Other Pollinators Are On The Decline
China hand pollinates many of their crops. Thinking that other pollinators might replace the loss of honey bees? Think again. Other
pollinators are on the decline too... Read More
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Package Bees & Nucs For Sale Now From Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
Give us a call at: 217-427-2678 to get yours while they last!
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Ask your friends to sign up for this newsletter FREE at http://www.honeybeesonline.com/ez.html
BEE SMART is free and comes right to your email inbox. We'll be relying on you telling your friends about BEE SMART and passing it along
to others.
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Bee Smart is a publication of
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
14556 N 1020 E Rd
Fairmount, IL 61841
(217) 427-2678
www.honeybeesonline.com
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms is here to serve the beekeeping community with beekeeping equipment, 3 lb packages, nucs, queens and more.
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