The Killer Bee

The Killer Bee

Presentation of a fearing insect

I. Africanized Honey Bee

II. Very Dangerous Insect?

III. Statistics of a killer

2

I. Africanized Honey Bee

1. Scientific classification2. History

3. Anatomic description and genetics4. Behaviors

3

I. Africanized Honey BeeOrder: Hymoneptora Suborder: apocrita

Subfamily: apinae

Tribe: apini

Genus: apis

Species: HYBRID

Apis mellifera scutellata

4

I. Africanized Honey Bee

History

Due to climate maladjustment of European Honey Bees, African honey bee appeared in 1957 in Brazil.

5

I. Africanized Honey Bee

It has developed and spread throughout south and central America and moved up to California, Arizona and even Florida.

The most successful biologically invasive species of all time

Distribution of Apis mellifera scutelatta in the Americas as of 2007

6

I. Africanized Honey BeeThe “Killer Bee” is anatomically very close to European honey bees, you cannot make the difference without using morphometric or genetic analysis.

7

I. Africanized Honey Bee

8

I. Africanized Honey Bee

>>> Genetic dominance

9

I. Africanized Honey Bee

Behaviors of the Africanized Honey Bees:

Like European bees…

- Social insect- Produce honey- Defend their hive or nest

10

I. Africanized Honey Bee

Behaviors of the Africanized Honey Bees:

Unlike European bees…- Aggressiveness- Abscond- Nest usurpation of European colonies- reproduce faster/ produce more drones- Resistant to many honey bee pests

11

II. A Very Dangerous Insect?

1. Venom2. Response to a threat

3. How to survive?

12

Apitoxin:

• a bitter colorless liquid• produced from a mixture of acidic and basic

secretions• is acidic (pH 4.5 to 5.5) • A honeybee can inject 0.1 mg of venom via

its stinger• is similar to snake venom and nettle toxin

II. A Very Dangerous Insect?

13

How does work Apitoxin?

• Phospholipase A2 degrades phospholipids which cellular membranes are made of• Hyaluronidase dilates the capillaries.• Histamine is involved in allergic response• Dopamine increase pulse rate

II. A Very Dangerous Insect?

14

Response to a threat:

Characterized by greater defensiveness in established hives.

European bees: AHB:Number/attack 200 2000Pursue you up to 30 m 400 m

II. A Very Dangerous Insect?

15

How to survive?- Run away as quickly as possible…- Protect your head, especially eyes and mouth- Get inside a secure, enclosed structure, such as

a car or building, before attempting to remove any stingers. "alarm pheromone" is released when bees sting. It draws more bees to the victim.

II. A Very Dangerous Insect?

16

How to survive? (2)- Do not attempt to fool the bees by hiding or

"playing dead" if you are stung. The bees will continue to sting you.

- Do not jump into water, such as a swimming pool. Africanized bees will wait for a victim to surface.

- If you are with someone who cannot run away from the bees, cover them with a blanket, tarp, or other material. Do not stay with the victim . Run for help.

II. A Very Dangerous Insect?

17

III. Statistics of a killerStings from African bees kill 1–2 people per year in the United States.

more dangerous than venomous snakes!Particularly since, unlike snakes, they are found only in a small portion of the country.

Around 1000 death since 1957 in America.

18

19

Conclusion

You should fear the killer bee!