Africanized Bees

Africanized bees are hybrid bees, the result of a failed experiment In South America that created the genetic crossing of African honey bees with the European honey bees. Africanized bees arrived in the southern United States a few years ago, and are here to stay. The Africanized bee cannot be distinguished from a European honey bee by the naked eye. In addition to minute anatomical differences, certain behaviors, including extreme defensiveness of their colony, is what differentiates them.  If you want to learn more about Africanized bees, visit the links below:

• FAQs - University of Florida 
• UF African Honey Bee Extension & Education
• Florida Department of Agriculture

Credit: Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org