2. Living with Africanized Bees Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.edu Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, jdellis@ufl.edu Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, asn@ufl.edu

3. Apis mellifera spp.

4. 1950’s

6. Southern Distribution of AHB USDA As of January 2007

7. USDA / FDACS-DPI Spread of Africanized Bees in Florida, USDA, ARS survey

8. FDACS – DPI

9. African Bee European Bee Despite this, the average person cannot tell a difference! Photo: Sean McCann

10. Photo: G.Kastberger

11. Q: Where can they nest?

12. A: Anywhere! Photo: J.D. Ellis Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr.

13. Photo: Insect IQ

14. http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/agri-ahb.htm Photo: Insect IQPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: Insect IQ

15. In summary, common nesting sites of AHBs include: Abandoned vehicles Empty containers Places & objects with holes Fences Lumber piles Manholes Water meters Utility infrastructures Old tires Trees Garages Outbuildings Sheds Walls Chimneys Playground equipment, etc. Florida Dept. Ag.

16. Photo: A. Ellis Their behavior is extremely variable. Photo: USDA

17. More bees (like the ‘good old days’) Photo: K. S. Delaplane

18. Q: Climatic limitations? A: If so, Florida likely will not benefit

19. Why African bees are so successful: Nest usurpation and queen take-over Drone abundance Dominance of African alleles African bee swarming tendencies and reproductive superiority Pest resistance Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: HBREL

20. Effects on Florida Agriculture Industry Beekeepers Everyone else

21. Beekeeper Considerations single hive stands White faced veils Jumbo smokers and copious amounts of smoke! Genetic Selection Education Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: UF / IFAS Photo: HBREL

22. Frequent requeening with marked queens from non-Africanized areas Negative impacts on beekeeping Loss of apiary locations Lower profit margin LIABILITY (from having and removing bees) Fewer hobbyists Loss of pollination contracts Resource competition (less honey) Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: www.sxc.hu

23. Other Agriculture Considerations: Livestock Photo: www.sxc.hu

24. At-Risk Groups Animals at risk – Tethered or restrained animals. – Penned, caged, or corralled. – Horses and bees don’t mix. Photo: www.sxc.hu

25. Pollination (and therefore food!) Photo: www.sxc.hu

26. Food Prices?!?!

27. Tractor operators and other farm workers must remain alert Photo: www.sxc.hu

28. Will AHB affect tourism, and what can we do? Photo: www.sxc.hu

29. With proper education, AHB’s effects on tourism can be minimized The industry needs to be aware of AHB movement around the state and be correctly educated about how to respond to AHB incidences This includes trained first responders and general staff Having the correct equipment on hand in the event of an emergency Be ready to move large volumes of people out of an area quickly HAVE FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH EUROPEAN BEES Liability!

30. The elderly and youth tend to be most affected by AHB: In both instances, education is the key to preventing dangerous situations.

31. Precautions for the public Use caution as for snakes or ants Never approach hive equipment Never disturb a swarm Tractor operators take care Be aware of buzzing insect activity at all locations Examine suspect areas before entering or disturbing Be alert in all outdoor situations (hunting, hiking, working, picnicking, etc.) Teach respect and caution of bees Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: Insect IQ Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: Sean McCann

32. ‘Bee-proofing’ your schools, public facilities, homes, tourist sites, etc. Remove all potential nesting sites (garbage, tires, and other debris) From March-July (swarming season), inspect property weekly for the presence of unusual bee activity Inspect outside walls and eves of your structures Seal openings greater than 1/8-inch in walls, around chimneys, plumbing, and other openings by installing screens (1/8-inch hardware cloth) over such openings (rain spouts, vents, cavities of trees and fence posts, water meter/utility boxes, etc.) See EDIS document ENY 741 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in741 “Bee-Proofing for Florida Citizens”

33. During a stinging emergency: Do not stay in place, (RUN!) DO NOT swat at bees (this always leads to more stings) Do not jump in water or hide in thick underbrush (it may take bees 30+ minutes to calm down or leave an area – remember their colony is likely close) Seek shelter (building, vehicle, etc.) Call 911 Do not attempt a rescue

34. And above all else… RUN

35. Photo: Zach Huang

36. If you suspect Africanized bees or you have any AHB-related questions, contact the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology: 352-273-3932 ; honeybee@ifas.ufl.edu or David Westervelt: Florida DPI: Apiary Inspection 352-372-3505; david.westervelt@freshfromflorida.com or Visit the AFBEE Program website http://www.afbee.com

37. © 2013 University of Florida Jeanette Klopchin, Extension Technician (jklopchin@ufl.edu) Jamie Ellis, UF Associate Professor of Entomology (jdellis@ufl.edu) Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director (asn@ufl.edu ) Acknowledgments: Michael K. O’Malley Photos used by permission: Insect IQ FDACS – Apiary Zach Huang www.sxc.hu--stock photography USDA UF/IFAS William H. Kern, Jr. Michael K. O’Malley Keith S. Delaplane Amanda Ellis Jamie Ellis G. Kastberger Sean McCann