71 



gram at the Port of Wilmington and at the major boat anchorage in the Delaware 

 Bay to attract swarms and destroy such possible alien bee entries before they escape 



and breed. , , . , j ^u 



It should be noted, human nature what it is, that there was widespread apathy 

 here in the U.S., disbelief of the potential threat and a U.S. beekeeping industry 

 totally consummed with dealing with serious problems of parasitic mites introduced 

 into the U.S. in the mid 80s during this time. A standard "assumption all along 

 has been— "that is their problem, not ours" and the coroUary—'Ve will deal with 

 it if or when it arrives." Many have assumed it would not arrive or if it did it would 

 not be a problem. 



What is currently being done 



A number of efforts are currently underway to deal with the introduction of 

 Africanized honey bees into the U.S. Texas, the first State invaded and one of the 

 most diversified in the beekeeping industry, has had the most experience with the 

 bee The Texas Department of Agriculture is responsible for the bee program. 

 USDA APHIS originally had a presence in south Texas but now it is doing less. 

 A USDA, ARS lab just dedicated in Westlaco provides technical support but it is 

 hampered in that it isn't yet at full strength. Significant training programs and an 

 educational effort is underway by Texas A & M and the Texas Cooperative Exten- 

 sion system. Beekeepers and the beekeeping industry are fully mvolved and sup- 

 portive in all aspects of the program. . , , ox ^ t-. -i. 

 Arizona and New Mexico are less prepared for the Afi-icanized bee. State Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture officials will be responsible for the majority of the program. An 

 educational program in the school system and on Indian reservations, although in- 

 adequately funded, includes Federal, State and industry efforts to reach school chil- 

 dren. One new wrinkle in erradication of feral swarms and colonies now manifest 

 in these drier localities is the tendency of the Africanized bee to proliferate in cities 

 and towns where water is more readily accessible while remaining scare in more 

 arid rural sites. Utility containers such as those for telephone and particularly 

 water service boxes are proving to be very desirable nest sites for this bee — such 

 sites are generally too small for European-race bees. 



In California, individual counties will be responsible for Africanized bee programs. 

 Imperial and San Diego Counties have action plans for dealing with the bee and 

 will likely soon be faced with that reality. Other States, some counties and a few 

 municipalities have an Africanized bee action plan, most patterned after the Texas 

 State plan and a national plan developed by scientists, government officials and in- 

 dustry from a series of national meetings. National organizations such as the Apiap^ 

 Inspectors of America, which are the State government officials dealing most di- 

 rectly with beekeepers, national and regional industry associations, such as the 

 Eastern Apicultural Society that I serve as Chairmaii of the Board, and State and 

 local beekeeping and entomological organizations have offered educational proOTams 

 and training for beekeepers, tarmers and the general public regarding this bee. I 

 have presented my views and recommendations to countless bee, commodity and 

 civic organizations at every level since my direct involvement with Africanized bees. 

 Action plans involve removal of swarms and feral colonies where they might cause 

 problems, a quarantine system that permits movement of beekeeper maintained 

 colonies only under certain circumstances and education of the general public about 

 the bee. Training for responsible public officials is available such as African bee ID 

 from USDA, ARS, as are a variety of governmental and commercial training aids. 

 More assistance is needed to permit purchase of and maintenance of bait hives so 

 states/counties/municipalities can more accurately determine the spread of this bee 

 population in areas where it does not yet exist. Additional funding for training and 

 training materials is also needed. 



The Texas Department of Agriculture quarantine plan seeks to reduce man-as- 

 sisted movement of Afi-icanized bee genetic material while assuring beekeepers the 

 opportunity to pursue their liveUhood or hobbyist interests. Less than 5 percent of 

 the 100+ stinging incidents in south Texas reported since arrival of the Africanized 

 bee in 1990 have involved beekeeper hives yet used bee equipment is odor-charged 

 and highly attractive to bee swarms. To date, no beekeeper movement of Africanized 

 bee genetic material to other locations in the U.S. has occurred. 



Past experience with industry/regulatory attempts to reduce the spread of para- 

 sitic bee mites suggest the effort to reduce man-assisted movement of Afi-icanized 

 bees will be an up-hill battle. Our industry is highly mobile and an apparent short- 

 age of bee colonies of adequate strength to meet current pollination needs will mean 

 continuation of this mobility. No State or region is self-sufficient to meet pollination 

 needs or to raise queens/package bees to offset heavy colony losses due to mites and 

 pesticides. Pollination is often perceived of as a "free" service of the bee. Countless 



