Africanized Honey Bees (AHBs) are a hybrid of the western honey bee, resulting from the crossbreeding of the East African lowland honey bee with various European subspecies. Not all bees in Arizona are Africanized, but the reality is nuanced for wild populations. The vast majority of unmanaged, feral honey bee colonies, particularly across the southern and central regions of Arizona, are highly Africanized. This genetic dominance means that most wild colonies exhibit the defensive traits associated with AHBs, posing a significant public safety concern.
The Dominance and Distribution of Africanized Honey Bees in Arizona
The first Africanized Honey Bees entered the United States in 1990 and were detected in Arizona near Tucson in June 1993, spreading rapidly thereafter. Arizona’s warm, arid climate provided an ideal environment for AHBs, allowing them to outcompete established European Honey Bee (EHB) populations. Their quick reproductive cycle and frequent swarming behavior accelerated their spread throughout the desert Southwest.
Today, nearly 95 to 100 percent of all feral honey bee colonies in the lower-altitude areas of the state, including Phoenix and Tucson, possess Africanized genetics. The primary concern is with these unmanaged swarms, which often establish nests in unexpected places like water meter boxes, wall voids, or rock crevices.
Commercial beekeeping operations attempt to mitigate this by consistently managing or replacing their queen bees with European stock, although hybridization remains a challenge. In northern, higher-altitude regions of the state, the Africanized presence is less pronounced due to the cooler climate, which favors European genetics.
Why Visual Identification is Impossible for the Public
Africanized Honey Bees cannot be identified simply by looking at them. AHBs are morphologically almost identical to their European counterparts, differing by only about 10% in overall body size. This minute difference is imperceptible to the naked eye and requires specialized laboratory analysis, such as morphometric measurements or DNA testing, to confirm the lineage.
The only practical way for the public to discern an Africanized colony is through its extreme behavioral characteristics. An Africanized colony reacts to a slight disturbance with far greater speed and intensity than a European colony. They launch a defensive attack with hundreds of bees, stinging with minimal provocation, and will pursue a perceived threat for a much longer distance, sometimes up to a quarter of a mile. Therefore, all aggressive wild honey bee colonies encountered in Arizona should be treated as potentially Africanized.
Distinguishing Honey Bees from Native Arizona Pollinators
Arizona is home to over 1,000 species of native bees, which are frequently mistaken for honey bees. The key difference is that honey bees, whether Africanized or European, are social insects that live in large, permanent colonies and produce wax honeycombs. In contrast, the vast majority of Arizona’s native bees are solitary, meaning they do not live in hives and do not have a colony to defend.
Solitary species like Mason bees, Leafcutter bees, and Sweat bees rarely sting unless they are accidentally crushed or handled directly. Many native species are ground-nesting or nest in small holes and plant stems, rather than building large, exposed combs. Recognizing these differences is important because native bees are critical for pollinating desert flora and should be left undisturbed.
Emergency Response Protocols for Bee Encounters
If a honey bee colony becomes agitated and begins to attack, immediate action is necessary to ensure safety. The first step is to run away from the area as quickly as possible and in a straight line. Do not stop to swat at the bees, as this increases their aggression and releases alarm pheromones, attracting additional attackers.
While running, cover your head and face, as the bees instinctively target these areas. Seek shelter in an enclosed space that the bees cannot easily enter, such as a vehicle or a secure building. Avoid jumping into water; bees will patiently wait for a person to surface, leading to continued attacks.
If you are stung, immediately scrape the stinger out sideways with a fingernail or a credit card edge. Avoid pinching the stinger, which can inject more venom. For hive removal, never attempt a do-it-yourself solution, but instead contact a licensed pest control operator or a professional beekeeper experienced in Africanized bee removal.