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Africanized honey bees, noted for their aggressive
stinging behavior, are descendants of escaped
African bees imported into brazil in 1956.
After becoming established in Brazil, Africanized
bees advanced up the east and north coasts of
South America and then moved into Central America.
PRECAUTIONS NEEDED
NOW
Although the arrival of these bees into the United
States is not expected until the end of this decade,
accidental introductions can occur, as happened
in Kern County in July, 1985.
As a precautionary measure, it is important for
you to report all multiple bee stings to your
county agricultural commissioner. They will then
investigate to see if the bees have Africanized
characteristics.
HOW AFRICANIZED BEES
DIFFER
The Africanized and domestic honey bees closely
resemble each other, differing only in size, as
the Africanized bee is slightly smaller.
The most important difference is their behavior.
The Africanized bees have an easily-triggered
defensive instinct.
KEY BEHAVIOR DIFFERENCE
When disturbed, Africanized bees attack in larger
numbers and pursue over a greater distance for
a longer period of time.
This defensive behavior along with reports from
Sough America of deaths due to bee stings have
earned them the name of 'killer bees."
Individually the sting of an Africanized bee
is no more venomous than that of a domestic honey
bee.
The danger is that the Africanized bees attack
in so much larger numbers that the victim receives
a great deal more venom than from domestic bees.
That's why it is essential that all cases of
multiple bee stings be reported to your county
agricultural commissioner, so the bee colony can
be checked to see if it is Africanized.
BEE STINGS DIFFER
FROM WASPS
When any bee stings, it loses its stinger, these
are easy to see. Wasps, however, leave no stinger.
Bee stingers can be found in the victim's flesh
and clothing. The venom sacks may still be attached
to the stinger. The stinger may still remain,
as the victim may have only removed the venom
sacks. By looking closely, the remaining stinger
can be located.
NORMAL REACTION TO
BEE STINGS
Although many people are highly allergic to bee
venom, most people can absorb several stings with
only itchy, uncomfortable swelling resulting.
REPORT MULTIPLE BEE
STINGS
Call your county agricultural commissioner, listed
under county government offices in your local
telephone book.
Thank you for your assistance. Such precautions
are necessary to ensure the protection of California's
residents form future attacks by Africanized bees.
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