Apis mellifera scutellata Scorecard

Common Name:  Africanized honeybee

Scorecard created on
Last Updated on

Results

Impact Total:11 / 35Impact = ( Spread + Damage - Benefit )

Ability to Respond Total:7 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )

Confidence:Medium

Confidence Notes:Low confidence in "ability to respond" section.

Impact

SpreadNotesScore
Spread RateSwarms travel up to a mile a day, and tend to be more itinerant than their European counterparts.3
Spread AmountThey will be limited only by colder winter temperatures, may have spread to its potential in California.3
DamageNotesScore
EcologicalPose a threat to European honeybees.1
AgriculturalThey are a large threat to apiculture initially (may attack and displace European bees), and may affect all crops by attacking agricultural workers.3
Infrastructure0
CulturalHiking, outdoor recreations, pets and wildlife.1
HealthMore aggressive (defense of hive) than European honey bees, they may sting an intruder many times.2
BenefitNotesScore
EcologicalIt fills the pollination niche of the European honey bees that it displaced.1
AgriculturalMay be more productive than European honey bees in some areas.1
Infrastructure0
Cultural0
Health0
Total11

Ability to Respond

Ease of ResponseNotesScore
DetectionTo the naked eye, it looks almost identical to European honey bees. Detection would likely occur through individuals who unwittingly near a hive.2
ControlMost common control would be killing individual hives.2
Tools in PlaceNotesScore
EntryAlready in Southern California. No controls are in place to stop the spread.0
ControlProblem swarms and hives are killed but nothing "organized."0
OutreachAHB and what to do if you encounter it is taught to children in some schools, public very aware of "Killer Bee."3
Total7