The Africanized Honey Bee

The Africanized honey bee (AHB), "the bee with an attitude problem," is described as more defensive, more likely to defend its nest in large numbers, and therefore cause multiple stings compared with the European honey bee (EHB) with which we are familiar. We can expect a greater number of toxic reactions related to multiple stings in addition to the more familiar allergic (IgE-mediated) reactions. The title "Killer Bees" is largely media derived. The first identified colony arriving by natural northward migration arrived in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in October 1990. Additional colonies have been trapped, identified, and destroyed by now. Because of extensive media coverage, the facts become very important because patients and possibly media may be contacting you as specialists in stinging insect allergy. Those living in the Southern United States are most likely to be involved. State and federal government agencies as well as certain industries have recognized this situation as important with a potentially very serious impact on agricultural interest. Some of these impacts will be discussed as well as local involvement in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of the Texas AHB Management Plan and medical plans.