Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!comp.vuw.ac.nz!massey.ac.nz!AChamove From: AChamove@massey.ac.nz (A.S. Chamove) Newsgroups: sci.bio Subject: Re: Killer bee invasion? Message-ID: <1034@massey.ac.nz> Date: 2 Oct 90 04:55:09 GMT References: <39338@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> <1990Sep28.163755.23272@cid.aes.doe.CA> <39473@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand Lines: 19 X-Reader: NETNEWS/PC Version 2.2 My personal experience with Africanized bees in Africa (West Africa) is that they need to be given a WIDE berth. With our European domestic bees, you can walk within feet of the hive without an attact, and even if you are in the flight path, a yard or so is usually enough. With the Africans however, there is no flight path as such. I have been attacked by individuals (10-20) at a distance of 50 yards from the hive in any direction, and friends have been attacked by hundreds at about half that distance. The problem is that the first you know is when you hear that high-pitched whine, and then it is too late. You have gotten too close and not known it. Then (in the absence of water) all you can do is run and hope you are running away from the nest (and you have no way of knowing which way that is). Usually you run away from scrub and trees into the open. I think the main effect will be than people will be very wary about traveling in woods and forests, and especially wary about taking kids with them. Hunted animals may welcome this invasion. I dont know if African bees attack non-domestic animals. arnold