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First identified in the U.S. during the mid-1980s, the infamous “killer bee” instigated widespread alarm as it traversed through the South. But was that apprehension warranted?

Initially bred to enhance honeybee vitality in Brazil, this bee became remarkably aggressive and was inadvertently released during the 1950s.

However, with the surge of new sightings in the Southeast, experts like Lewis Bartlett, an assistant professor at the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, are alerting the public that the killer bee might not be as terrifying as people believe.

Why are they referred to as ‘killer bees’?

The Africanized, or killer bee, which I consider a hybrid species, can be perilous when provoked due to its combination of the most problematic traits from both European and African bees.

This creates a creature that is quick to defend its hives and remarkably swift to sting. They are more robust and resilient than the majority of the bees we manage, which accounts for their expansion.

It’s significant to remember that they share similarities with ordinary honeybees. They are merely a different variety. It’s akin to comparing a bulldog to a shih tzu — both belong to the same species.

The true concern revolves around whether the two species are mingling and reproducing. The genetics that fuel the hybrid bees’ defensive and more perilous behaviors can infiltrate our own honeybee population, catalyzing the need for intervention.

What do Africanized bees resemble?

Upon observation, it’s challenging to distinguish any substantial difference between the common honeybee colonies managed by beekeepers in Georgia and the hybrid variety.

The only definitive way to identify a bee as a hybrid is through genetic testing.

However, what can be noted with a hybrid colony is a rapidly triggered defensive behavior. When the colony is approached, a multitude of bees will swiftly appear to defend it. This is typically a clear indication.

^{UGA faculty and students at the Durham Horticulture Research Farm house and farm bees for research and species conservation. (Photos by Dorothy Kozlowski)}

Where can these killer bees be found?

These hybrid bees thrive in warm climates, making them significantly more common in the southern regions. We believe that the largest concentrations of hybrid bees exist in Florida, particularly in South Florida. They are also widespread in West Texas, the Southwest, and Southern California.

While they do occasionally venture into more northern territories, colder weather generally keeps them at bay.

Any area in the South could encounter these bees. States such as Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and the Carolinas are effectively managing to eliminate these hybrids when they surface.

Feral hybrid bees, those that have escaped or relocated from human management, generally inhabit cavities, which we refer to as cavity nesting. They prefer above-ground shelter rather than underground dwelling.

Their natural environments can include tree cavities or crevices in cliffs, as well as similar areas within urban and suburban locales. That often includes living inside people’s walls or homes, especially when insulation is minimal or gaps exist between floors and walls.

What threats do these bees present?

These bees establish new colonies more frequently than standard managed European bees, allowing for swifter reproduction and potentially propagating their more hazardous genetic traits.

Such genetics can infiltrate our honeybee stocks to a degree, rendering it impractical to eliminate those undesirable behaviors.

If you inadvertently disturb a nest or colony that you were unaware of, try not to panic overly and refrain from attempting to handle it by yourself.”

—Lewis Bartlett, Odum School of Ecology and College of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences

At that juncture, we would have to adapt our beekeeping practices, necessitating that individuals become far more cautious regarding bee colonies.

While it can be quite challenging to develop an allergy to bee stings, individuals already susceptible to anaphylaxis from stings face considerable risk.

What actions should you take if you encounter Africanized bees?

If you inadvertently disturb a nest or colony that you weren’t aware of, try not to panic excessively, and do not attempt to handle it alone.

Quickly retreat and reach out to your local UGA Cooperative Extension office, Georgia Department of Agriculture, or a local beekeeping association to determine if someone can come and evaluate the situation regarding those bees and their level of aggression.

A specialized training and certification process exists for beekeepers qualified to safely remove bees from structures. They can accomplish this effectively while causing minimal damage to property.

The post Yes, killer bees are back. No, you shouldn’t panic. appeared first on UGA Today.

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