Who are the Africanized 'killer bees' spreading across the U.S.?
Across parts of the U.S., a hybrid bee species is turning everyday moments—like mowing the lawn or hiking a trail—into near-deadly encounters. Africanized honey bees , commonly (and ominously) known as “killer bees,” have slowly spread into 13 U.S. states, leaving behind a growing list of victims and warnings. They look nearly identical to the gentle European honeybees we rely on for pollination, but don’t be fooled—these bees don’t back down.
As per a report by USA TODAY, in the past few months alone, these bees have been responsible for several terrifying incidents: a man was fatally attacked while mowing his lawn, three hospitalized after disturbing a tree-bound hive, hikers were chased a mile, and three horses killed after being swarmed by thousands of stings.
Why are these bees so aggressive?
Scientists say the bees’ temperament is a defense mechanism to ward off predators. And since honey bees die after stinging, these acts are sacrificial, meant to protect their colony. But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees sure seem aggressive, spiteful, and terrifying.
They've been known to follow victims for up to a mile—even chasing cars and trucks—and can sting through regular beekeeping suits.
How did they get here?Africanized honeybees are a cross between Western honeybees from Europe and East African lowland honeybees. Though they look like European honeybees, they are known for their aggressive defensive behavior, including swarming, pursuing intruders over longer distances, and attacking in larger groups.
Africanized honeybees first arrived in South America in 1956. A Brazilian geneticist, Warwick Kerr, brought East African lowland honeybees to Brazil to hybridize with Western honeybees. A year later, 26 Africanized queen bees were accidentally released into a nearby forest, and they thrived. The hybrid species reached South Texas in 1990 and has been moving northward ever since.
Where are they found now?Africanized honeybees are now present in 13 states, mainly across the South and Southwest. Feral colonies are common in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and especially Texas.
They’ve also been seen in southwest Arkansas, southern Utah, and about two-thirds of Oklahoma, according to Allen Szalanski, professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas.
They prefer warm, dry climates and don’t survive in areas with cold winters or high rainfall, creating natural geographic limits.
How dangerous are Africanized bees?Their danger lies not in the venom itself, but in the numbers. A Western honeybee colony might defend itself with a few dozen stings. But Africanized bees? They send out hundreds or even thousands.
Each bee dies after stinging, but collectively, the attack can be fatal. Researchers say the LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of people) is about nine stings per pound of body weight. So for someone weighing 150 pounds, 1,350 stings could be deadly—a real possibility with Africanized swarms.
What should you do if you encounter them?Run. Don’t swat. Don’t jump into water. Just run. Tethered pets or livestock are at greater risk, as they can’t escape. Loud machinery like mowers can also put people in danger by agitating nearby colonies without warning.
As per a report by USA TODAY, in the past few months alone, these bees have been responsible for several terrifying incidents: a man was fatally attacked while mowing his lawn, three hospitalized after disturbing a tree-bound hive, hikers were chased a mile, and three horses killed after being swarmed by thousands of stings.
Why are these bees so aggressive?
Scientists say the bees’ temperament is a defense mechanism to ward off predators. And since honey bees die after stinging, these acts are sacrificial, meant to protect their colony. But to unsuspecting humans, killer bees sure seem aggressive, spiteful, and terrifying.
How did they get here?Africanized honeybees are a cross between Western honeybees from Europe and East African lowland honeybees. Though they look like European honeybees, they are known for their aggressive defensive behavior, including swarming, pursuing intruders over longer distances, and attacking in larger groups.
Africanized honeybees first arrived in South America in 1956. A Brazilian geneticist, Warwick Kerr, brought East African lowland honeybees to Brazil to hybridize with Western honeybees. A year later, 26 Africanized queen bees were accidentally released into a nearby forest, and they thrived. The hybrid species reached South Texas in 1990 and has been moving northward ever since.
Where are they found now?Africanized honeybees are now present in 13 states, mainly across the South and Southwest. Feral colonies are common in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and especially Texas.
They’ve also been seen in southwest Arkansas, southern Utah, and about two-thirds of Oklahoma, according to Allen Szalanski, professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas.
They prefer warm, dry climates and don’t survive in areas with cold winters or high rainfall, creating natural geographic limits.
How dangerous are Africanized bees?Their danger lies not in the venom itself, but in the numbers. A Western honeybee colony might defend itself with a few dozen stings. But Africanized bees? They send out hundreds or even thousands.
Each bee dies after stinging, but collectively, the attack can be fatal. Researchers say the LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of people) is about nine stings per pound of body weight. So for someone weighing 150 pounds, 1,350 stings could be deadly—a real possibility with Africanized swarms.
What should you do if you encounter them?Run. Don’t swat. Don’t jump into water. Just run. Tethered pets or livestock are at greater risk, as they can’t escape. Loud machinery like mowers can also put people in danger by agitating nearby colonies without warning.
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