Q: Iβm hoping you can settle an argument between my husband and myself. He says there are no longer any regular honey bees in Arizona β that they all have been Africanized. I find it hard to believe that the bees buzzing my flowers are the African killer bees.
A:Β You can both be correct, depending on how you frame the question. It is true that all feral or wild honey bees are considered to be Africanized. It is also true that many kept honey bees by our local beekeepers are not Africanized.
For example, beekeepers will often purchase Russian or Italian honey bees for their managed hives. Because all honey bees are the same species (Apis mellifera) they can and will interbreed. Over time managed colonies may become hybridized by mating with feral honey bees. So, the bees buzzing your flowers could be either. Itβs not easy to tell them apart on the fly because they donβt have physical differences you can spot without laboratory equipment.
Peter L. Warren is the Forest Health Program Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Questions, photos or videos may be emailed to
