Living with Africanized Bees Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.edu...

Living with Africanized BeesMichael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.edu

Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, jdellis@ufl.eduAnita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, asn@ufl.edu

Apis mellifera spp.

Apis mellifera spp.

1950’s

Southern Distribution of AHB

USDA

As of March 2008

Florida Counties to officially confirm AHB presence

as of March 2008

USDA / FDACS-DPI

FDACS – DPI

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

per

cen

tag

e

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

year

Percent of captured feral bee colonies in Florida that are Africanized

More Bees (like the ‘good old days’)

Photo: K. S. Delaplane

More Bees (like the ‘good old days’)

Figures out of South America suggest 100-200 feral colonies per square mile in areas where

AHB occur

UF/IFAS

Why African bees are so successful:

• Nest usurpation and queen take-over

• Drone abundance

• Dominance of African alleles

• African bee swarming tendencies and reproductive superiority

• Pest resistance

Photo: G.W. Hayes

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: HBREL

African BeeEuropean Bee

Despite this, the average person cannot tell a difference!

Photo: Sean McCann

Photo: G.Kastberger

Differences between AHB and EHB Hive Defense and Stinging

• AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened.

• AHB remains agitated longer than EHB• Disturbing an AHB colony can result in 6-10

times more stings than EHB• Feral nests located near people are more

dangerous if not removed • Improper removal is dangerous for

neighbors and bystanders

EHBs Show Little Defensiveness

UF/IFAS

Defensive AHB colony

UF/IFAS

Stinger Density

UF/IFAS

Photo: A. Ellis

Photo: A. Ellis

Their behavior is extremely variable.

Photo: USDA

• Swarming involves honey bee reproduction at the colony level– About 60% of the bees leave colony with queen to establish new colony– Bees left behind rear new queen and remain a functioning colony

• AHBs swarm more frequently than the EHBs– EHB colonies swarm 1-2 times/year– AHB colonies can swarm 10+ times/yr

• AHB swarm is smaller than EHB swarm– Some aren't much larger than a coffee cup.

• 300 AHB swarms per square mile in Central America

Differences between AHB and EHB

Excessive Swarming

Differences between AHB and EHB Selection of Nesting Site

• EHBs are discriminating in selecting nest sites.

– Large hollow cavities (about 10 gallons in size) – Above ground, clean, and dry voids– protected

• AHBs nest almost anywhere

– Smaller, closer to the ground – Underground – Exposed nests in tree branches or elsewhere

• Difficult to detect AHB in varied nesting locations until too late

Q: Where do they nest?

A: Everywhere!

Photo: J.D. Ellis Photo: J. D. Ellis

Photo: J. D. EllisPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr.

Photo: Insect IQ

http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/agri-ahb.htmPhoto: Insect IQPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr.Photo: Insect IQ

In summary, common nesting sites of AHB include:

• Abandoned vehicles• Empty containers• Places & objects with

holes• Fences• Lumber piles• Manholes• Water meters• Utility infrastructures

• Old tires• Trees• Garages• Outbuildings • Sheds• Walls• Chimneys• Playground

equipment, etc.Florida Dept. Ag.

Effects on Florida Agriculture Industry

Beekeepers Everyone else

Beekeeper Considerations

single hive stands

White faced veilsJumbo smokers and copious amounts of smoke!

Genetic SelectionEducation

Photo: M. K. O’MalleyPhoto: M. K. O’MalleyPhoto: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: UF / IFAS

Photo: HBREL

• Frequent requeening with marked queens from non-Africanized areas

Negative impacts on beekeeping

• Loss of apiary locations

• Lower profit margin

• LIABILITY (from having and removing bees)

• Fewer hobbyists

• Loss of pollination contracts

• Resource competition (less honey)

Photo: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: www.sxc.huPhoto: www.sxc.huPhoto: M. K. O’MalleyPhoto: www.sxc.hu

Other Agriculture Considerations:

Livestock

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Pollination (and therefore food!)

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Food Prices?!?!

At-Risk Groups• Animals at risk

– Tethered or restrained animals.– Penned, caged, or corralled. – Horses and bees don’t mix.

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Tractor operators and other farm workers must remain alert

Photo: www.sxc.hu

The elderly and youth tend to be most affected by AHB:

In both instances, education is the key to preventing dangerous situations.

Precautions for the public

• Use caution as for snakes/ants

• Never approach hive equipment

• Never disturb a swarm

• Tractor operators take care

• Be aware of buzzing insect activity at all locations

• Examine suspect areas before entering or disturbing

• Be alert in all outdoor situations (hunting, hiking, working, picnicking, etc.)

• Teach respect and caution of bees

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr.

Photo: www.sxc.huPhoto: Insect IQ

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: Sean McCann

‘Bee-proofing’ your schools, public facilities, homes, tourist sites, etc.

• Remove all potential nesting sites (garbage, tires, and other debris)

• From March-July (swarming season), inspect property weekly for the presence of unusual bee activity

• Inspect outside walls and eves of your structures• Seal openings greater than 1/8-inch in walls,

around chimneys, plumbing, and other openings by installing screens (1/8-inch hardware cloth) over such openings (rain spouts, vents, cavities of trees and fence posts, water meter/utility boxes, etc.)

During a stinging emergency:

• Do not stay in place and swat at bees (this always leads to more stings)

• Do not hide in water or thick underbrush (it may take bees 30+ minutes to calm down or leave an area – remember their colony is likely close)

• Do not attempt to remove swarm yourself• Seek shelter (building, vehicle, etc.)• Call 911• Do not attempt a rescue

And above all

else…

RUN

Photo: Zach Huang

The AFBEE Program

• African honey Bee Extension & Education• Partnership between

– University of Florida– Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer

Services

“Educate every Florida citizen and visitor about the presence of and living with AHBs”

The Websitehttp://www.AFBEE.com

If you have any AHB-related questions,

call Jamie Ellis: UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology: 352-392-1901 ext: 130 –

jdellis@ufl.edu

or

Jerry Hayes: Florida DPI: 352-372-3505 ext:128http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/ahb.html

or

Visit the AFBEE Program website http://www.AFBEE.com

© 2007 University of Florida Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator (omalleym@ufl.edu)Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology (jdellis@ufl.edu)Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director (asn@ufl.edu )

Photos used by permission:Insect IQ William H. Kern, Jr.Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesZach Huangwww.sxc.hu--stock photographyUSDA

UF/IFASMichael K. O’MalleyKeith S. DelaplaneAmanda EllisJamie EllisG. KastbergerSean McCann