Released May 8, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University’s Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory recently discovered the first positive sample for Africanized honey bees in Payne County.
The sample came from a daycare center where a swarm had settled on some playground equipment.
“All bees in the colony were destroyed and no stinging instances were reported,” said Rick Grantham, director of the laboratory, part of the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “The situation has been handled. People need to be aware but not feel as though a state of emergency exists. This is simply a part of nature.”
The DASNR laboratory works closely with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry in the monitoring of insect-related issues in the state.
Two additional locations also have been added to the pool of positive finds for 2008: Blaine and McCurtain counties. To date, Africanized honey bees have been found in 33 counties in Oklahoma.
Grantham said the most recent discoveries provide some important benchmarks for the state. First, Payne County represents the known northern presence of the bees in Oklahoma. Second, McCurtain County marks the farthest southeastern presence.
“We don’t presently know how far north to expect these insects to become established,” he said. “If records from Arizona are any indication, Africanized honey bees are widespread across Arizona with colonies and swarms being found at high elevations that are now snow-covered. Nature can find a way around many inhospitable situations.”
Samples from the DASNR laboratory have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Arizona. USDA scientists will perform a battery of measurements to further confirm that the specimens recovered in Oklahoma are Africanized honey bees.
Oklahomans, particularly those involved in outside activities such as mowing, gardening and tree trimming, should be aware that these insects could be widespread across the state, and be found in nearly any environment.
“Africanized honey bees have been known to establish colonies in water meters, tires, barrels, gas barbecue grills, tree cavities and homes,” said Phil Mulder, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service entomologist and interim head of OSU’s department of entomology and plant pathology.
Mulder said Africanized honey bees do not differ significantly from their more docile European cousins in external appearance; however, they can be very defensive in protecting their hive.
“They are more likely to attack perceived intruders simply because of noise from devices such as mowers, weed trimmers and chainsaws,” he said. “In addition, they are likely to attack with up to 10 times more bees than a colony of European honey bees.”
Further complicating the situation is that these defensive bees have been known to pursue an intruder up to a quarter mile and stay agitated for up to an hour.
People who work outside should be aware of their surroundings and use caution in approaching any potentially dangerous situation involving honey bees, said Kelsey McCollum, Payne County Extension horticulture educator.
“Take the time to assess the area before starting up any noisy equipment,” she said. “Crews that trim trees or similar jobs should have an evacuation plan mapped out beforehand, which includes enclosed shelter such as a vehicle nearby.”
McCollum recommends that anyone who has a history of allergic reaction to insect stings or bites notify his or her employer.
Mulder and McCollum both stress that persons who are allergic should always make sure their reaction kit is available and easily accessible before starting any work project.
Disturbing colonies of established bees always poses the potential for a stinging attack; however, foraging honey bees are rarely a threat.
“If several honey bees are actively visiting blooms for nectar or pollen, they are usually quite harmless unless somebody attempts to threaten them,” Mulder said. “Even then, they will often simply retreat or fly away.”
DASNR entomologists will continue to assess insect samples throughout the state in cooperation with ODAFF; however, where a positive collection has taken place, that county is considered to be infested with Africanized honey bees and the cost of any subsequent testing may be passed on to the landowner.
Additional information on Africanized honey bees and related species is available through DASNR at http://entoplp.okstate.edu/ahb/ on the Internet, as well as the ODAFF Web site at http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/cps-beeshome.htm.
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Contact: Donald Stotts, (405) 744-4079, donald.stotts@okstate.edu
