Killer Bees
2020 has already been a world wind of emotions, and now we have killer bees on top of it.
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Killer Bees
Killer Bees
By Abbie Wright
By Abbie Wright
Along with the Coronavirus pandemic, a new situation has arisen. Killer bees are invading the United States and pose many threats economically and to the other bees here in the U.S. They originated when two different species of bees mated and are now threats to us all. To help prevent the spread and get rid of the killer bees, there are a couple of primary solutions.
The killer bees, officially named Africanized Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), are hybrids between European and African bees. First released in Brazil, they have now spread even further. The University of California Center for Invasive Species Research states, “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.” They have spread even further, and now have formed colonies.
Now that they are here in the United States, the bees pose threats to both the economy and people. As stated in Smithsonian magazine, “ Africanized Honey Bees (Killer Bees) are dangerous because they attack intruders in numbers much greater than European Honey Bees. Since their introduction into Brazil, they have killed some 1,000 humans.” So, these bees are big, fast and dangerous. They have the ability to kill humans, who are so much bigger, and yet it makes no difference. Economically, these bees threaten beekeepers’ honey productions. A Smithsonian article shows that “Further, beekeepers may not continue their business of honey production if faced with aggressive bees. The packaged bee and queen rearing industries are in the southern United States, which would affect the honey industry across the continent.” These killer bees certainly earn their nickname and are no laughing matter.
Thankfully, there are some ways that the government is dealing with these Killer Bees. Smithsonian states, “ termed drone-flooding, which involves maintaining large numbers of common Honey Bees (originally from Europe) in areas where commercially-reared queen bees mate... The second strategy is requeening frequently, where the beekeeper replaces the queen of the colony, thus assuring that the queens are European Honey Bees.” While the government is finding ways to deal with this problem, the general public will also need to take some precautions. NC State Extension Publications states, “ Means of Control- Keep your distance…. Call a professional …. Remove the combs to prevent further damage….. For mass stinging incidents or allergic reactions, call 911.” People can help the government control the spread, too.
Killer Bees are not to be taken lightly. They have spread from Brazil to several other places, including the U.S. They pose threats to both the economy and people and must be considered dangerous. To help these killer bees stop spreading, both the government and the general public are taking the necessary measures.
Photo Credit:
"Current and predicted future spread of Africanized honey bees in the Americas" Visual on Frontiersin.org
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