Africanized killer bees
Classification of Africanized killer
bees:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apinea
Genus:
Apis
Specie: Apis
mellifera scutellata
Common name: Africanized (“killer”) bees.
What are Killer Bees?
The Africanized killer bees is hybrid species of the western
honey bees. These Killer Bees were established when mating occurs between
southern Africa and localized Brazilian honey Bees.
Distribution of
Africanized killer bees:
The first Africanized Bee was identified in Brazil in
1950. But then it spread through central and south America. The first
Africanized Bees in United states were discovered in 1985 at an oil field in
California. In 1990, the first permanent Africanized bee colonies arrived in Texas from
Mexico. Today, Africanized honey bees are found in southern California,
southern Nevada, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, western Louisiana,
southern Arkansas, and central and southern Florida.
Identification of Africanized
Killer Bees:
Structure of Africanized Killer Bees:
Legs:6
Antennae: yes
Shape: oval; bee shape
Color: Green-yellow with darker band of brown.
What do Africanized killer Bees look like?
Africanized killer Bees look so much like domestic
honey bees. They are distinguishing apart from each other by measuring their
bodies. Africanized honey bees are slightly smaller then domestic honey bees.
Africanized honey bees are golden yellow with dark band of brown.
Africanized Bee stinging
Stinging insects are
sting to subdue pray or protect and defend their colonies. Africanized killer
bees are sensitive in disturbance therefor they attack in a greeter numbers,
and prove more dangerous to humans. However Africanized killer bees’ venom is no
more dangerous than domestic honeybees.
Precautions:
Avoid attracting
killer bees by throwing garbage in sealed container. Also dispose food waste in sealed container.
Eliminate standing water in and around the home. Avoid wearing dark color, loose-fitting
clothes, open-toe shoes, and sweet-smelling perfume.
Symptoms:
The most dangerous
type of systematic reactions is Anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis including
rashes, itching, swelling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. In severe
case symptoms of Anaphylaxis are shortness of breath, shock and loss of consciousness.
Habitat:
They live in
colonies so it builds it hives in unique places. Therefor they known to live in
empty cars, box, crates etc.
How to treat an Africanized killer bees sting:
Africanized killer
bees attack in a great number, causing multiple stings during attack. It is
important to remove stingers as quickly as possible if stingers enter the skin.
To remove the stinger, swipe the edge of flat surface like debit card across
the black stinger in the center of welt until stinger dislodge. It is important
to clean the skin with soap and apply ice pack after stinging. If a serious
reaction occurs see a doctor for prescription or seek medical emergency
assistance.