Africanized Honeybee

About the Africanized Honeybee

Known as killer bees, though the name exaggerates their danger. They are a hybrid of African and European honeybees created in Brazil in 1956 when 26 Tanzanian queen bees escaped. They are more defensive than European bees - they chase threats 400 meters (vs 50 meters) and attack in larger numbers. They produce more honey in tropical climates. They have spread through Central America and the southern US at 300 km per year. They are gradually becoming less aggressive through hybridization with European bees.