Africanized killer bees

 

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.