Potential For Spread

What are the possibilities of the Africanized honey bees reaching the borders of the Southern United States?

Not many scientists believe that the vast deserts of Mexico will serve as a barrier to the hybrids' northern migration as the wastelands of the Sahara Desert have blocked their progress in Africa. There arc north-south corridors of favorable environment that could enable them to skirt the deserts. An inhibiting factor is the inability of the hybrid to endure winters longer than several months. The possibility exists, however, that at the present migration rate the Africanized honey bees could spread naturally through Central America and Mexico and reach northern Mexico in an estimated 11 to 15 years.

Strict quarantine regulations are being enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture to prevent Africanized bees from arriving in this country ahead of their natural migration. Present legislation prohibits importing honey bees into the United States from most countries. APHIS port inspectors check incoming aircraft, ships, and vehicles to prevent Africanized bees from accidentally entering or being illegally imported into this country.

Management Practices

Africanized honey bees can-and are-being safely-managed by beekeepers knowledgeable of special handling practices. Because of the aggressive characteristics of the hybrid, some beekeepers must work populous colonies wearing coveralls and gloves in addition to the usual veil protection. This is uncomfortable attire in a tropical climate. Others, researchers and commercial beekeepers in South America accustomed to the habits of the hybrids and recognizing when it is safe to do so, often forego the extra protective clothing without adverse effects. Knowledge in handling the hybrid has proved worthwhile: Under tropical conditions Africanized bees can produce up to 50 percent more honey than European bees and are as effective in crop pollination.

In various sections of Brazil, where domestic colonies of bees have been effectively maintained by expert beekeepers. constant culling of the most aggressive colonies and replacement with gentle strains has taken place. As a result, stinging by honey bees is rarely a problem in these areas.

Genetic and Behavioral Studies

To maintain the desirable characteristics and quality of American bee stocks, and to protect them from unwanted genetic changes, SEA researchers in this country arc refining artificial insemination techniques on queen bees and encouraging further use of these techniques by domestic bee breeders.

The technique of using artificial insemination of queen bees to control mating of honey bees was originally only a research tool. However, in 1977 it was adapted for commercial queen production. In the next decade this technique is expected to have wide usage. This work has been a major concern of SEA researchers at the bee-breeding laboratory at Baton Rouge, La. If Africanized bees ever become a problem in this country, controlled mating through artificial insemination will be one of the most important tools available in supplying and maintaining desirable honey bees.