Living with Africanized BeesMichael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, [email protected]
Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, [email protected] Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, [email protected]
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 –
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 ([email protected])Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology ([email protected])Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director ([email protected] )
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