living with african bees in the outdoor workplace michael k. o’malley, afbee program coordinator,...
TRANSCRIPT
Living with African Bees in the Outdoor Workplace
Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, [email protected] Kern, UF Associate Professor of Entomology, [email protected]
Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, [email protected] Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, [email protected]
Social Vs. Solitary• Honey Bees• Bumble Bees• Yellowjackets and
Hornets• Paper Wasps• Ants
• Large Carpenter Bees
• Sweat Bees• Digger / Miner Bees• Mud Daubers• Cicada Killers• Velvet Ants• White Grub Hunters
Social Bees and Wasps:colony sizes
• Paper Wasps Polistes, and related tropical genera, have the fewest number of individuals, 6 - 50.
• Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) have 30 - 300 in a colony:
• Bald-faced Hornet, Vespula maculate, up to 5,000;
• Yellow Jackets, Vespula sp.,1,000-100,000;
• Honeybees, 5,000-60,000 Apis mellifera.
Red Paper Wasp Polistes carolina
St. Lucie County, Florida, USA April 29, 2006
Mischocyttarus mexicanus -
Lady Lake, Lake County, Florida, USA September 23, 2005
YellowjacketVespula squamosa (Vespidae)
Yellowjacket Nests (usually annual)
• Nests are built entirely of wood fiber and are completely enclosed except for a small opening (entrance)
Yellow Jacket Ground Nest
Perennial Yellowjacket Nest
Perennial Yellow Jacket Nest
Perennial Yellow Jacket Nest
Bald-faced Hornet
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2006/10-4/hornetnest.html
Bumblebee Nest
Apis mellifera spp.
Apis mellifera spp.
1950’s
Southern Distribution of AHB
USDA
As of January 2007
Florida Counties to confirm AHB presence
as of December 2007
USDA / FDACS-DPI
FDACS – DPI
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
per
cen
tag
e
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
year
Percent of captured feral bee colonies in Florida that are Africanized
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 resistancePhoto: M. K. O’Malley
Photo: www.sxc.hu
Photo: M. K. O’MalleyPhoto: HBREL
African BeeEuropean Bee
Despite this, the average person cannot tell a difference!
Photo: Sean McCann
Photo: G.Kastberger
Differences between AHB and EHB Hive Defense and Stinging
• AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened. – EHB: 10-20 bees in response to disturbance 20
feet away– AHB: several hundred bees in response to
disturbance 40 yards away • AHB remains agitated longer than EHB• Disturbing an AHB colony results in 6-10
times more stings than EHB• Nests are more dangerous if not removed • Improper removal is dangerous for neighbors
and bystanders
EHBs Show Little Defensiveness
UF/IFAS
Defensive AHB colony
UF/IFAS
Stinger Density
UF/IFAS
Photo: A. Ellis
Photo: A. Ellis
Their behavior is extremely variable.
Photo: USDA
• Swarming involves honey bee reproduction at the colony level– About 60% of the bees leave colony with queen to establish new colony– Bees left behind rear new queen and remain a functioning colony
• AHBs swarm more frequently than the EHBs– EHB colonies swarm 1-2 times/year– AHB colonies can swarm 10+ times/yr
• AHB swarm is smaller than EHB swarm– Some aren't much larger than a coffee cup.
• 300 AHB swarms per square mile in Central America
Differences between AHB and EHB
Excessive Swarming
Differences between AHB and EHB Selection of Nesting Site
• EHBs are discriminating in selecting nest sites.
– Large hollow cavities (about 10 gallons in size) – Above ground, clean, and dry voids– protected
• AHBs nest almost anywhere
– Smaller, closer to the ground – Underground – Exposed nests in tree branches or elsewhere
• Difficult to detect AHB in varied nesting locations until too late
Q: Where do they nest?
A: Everywhere!
Photo: J.D. Ellis Photo: J. D. Ellis
Photo: J. D. EllisPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr.
Photo: Insect IQ
http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/agri-ahb.htmPhoto: Insect IQPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr.Photo: Insect IQ
W. H. Kern Jr.
W. H. Kern Jr.
In summary, common nesting sites of AHB 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.
BEE AWARELook…Listen…and RUN!
• Watch for bees flying fast and straight in and out of any object or area.
• Bees foraging on flowers are not an indication of a nearby nest
Many bees does not always mean a hive is nearby, it could just be a good food source.
W. H. Kern Jr.
At-Risk Groups• Animals at risk
– Tethered or restrained animals.– Penned, caged, or corralled. – Horses and bees don’t mix.
Photo: www.sxc.hu
Photo: www.sxc.hu
Tractor operators and other farm workers must remain alert
Photo: www.sxc.hu
At-Risk Groups• People likely to interact with
bees– Outdoor workers
• Landscapers• Surveyors • Utility workers• Land clearing equipment
operators– Military during training– Sports enthusiasts– Rescue personnel
The elderly and youth tend to be most affected by AHB:
In both instances, education is the key to preventing dangerous situations.
Precautions for the public
• Use caution as for snakes/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.huPhoto: Insect IQ
Photo: www.sxc.hu
Photo: www.sxc.hu
Photo: Sean McCann
Swarm on a Building
W. H. Kern Jr.
Never Use Wasp and Hornet Spray on Bees
OOPS! You Will Get Stung!
W. H. Kern Jr.
During a stinging emergency:
• Do not stay in place and swat at bees (this always leads to more stings)
• Do not hide in water or thick underbrush (it may take bees 30+ minutes to calm down or leave an area – remember their colony is likely close)
• Do not attempt to remove swarm yourself• Seek shelter (building, vehicle, etc.)• Call 911• Do not attempt a rescue
And above all
else…
RUN
Photo: Zach Huang
Seek Emergency Care Immediately• If stung by and insect and you develop any of
these symptoms. These symptoms indicate an allergic reaction:– Large areas of swelling – Abnormal breathing – Tightness in throat or chest – Dizziness – Hives – Fainting – Nausea or vomiting – Persistent pain or swelling
What you can do...
• Inspect your property regularly for large numbers of bees and colonies.
• If feral colonies are found, have them removed by trained Pest Management Professionals who are knowledgeable about AHB.
• Disturbing a defensive colony by untrained personnel could endanger people and pets up to 150 yds away from the colony.
Legal Disclaimer
• The use of any product names is for illustrative and educational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement, guarantee, or liability by the University of Florida, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Personal Protection Equipment
www.stingshield.com
www.bugtamer.com
www.AFBEE.com
If you have any AHB-related questions,
call Jamie Ellis: IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology: 352-392-1901 ext: 130 – [email protected]
or
Jerry Hayes: Florida DPI: 352-372-3505 ext:128
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/ahb.html
or
Visit the AFBEE Program website
http://www.afbee.com
© 2007 University of Florida Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator ([email protected])Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology ([email protected])Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director ([email protected] )Bill Kern, UF Assiciate Professor of Entomology ([email protected])
Photos used by permission:Insect IQ William H. Kern, Jr.Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesZach Huangwww.sxc.hu--stock photographyUSDA
UF/IFASMichael K. O’MalleyKeith S. DelaplaneAmanda EllisJamie EllisG. KastbergerSean McCann