Plant Industry - Africanized Honey Bees

Responding to the Introduction of Africanized Honey Bees (AHB)
in North Carolina

Based on the rapid expansion of the AHB and the recent development of an established population in the southeastern region of the country, it is very likely the AHB will soon be introduced into North Carolina.  The joint purpose and mandate of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and the N.C. State University, Department of Entomology –Apiculture Program is not only to protect the beekeeping or apiary industry of this state, but also educate beekeepers and the general public on the AHB. 

The NCDA&CS and the NCSU-Apiculture Program have cooperatively developed the North Carolina Africanized Honey Bee Action Plan.  The plan has been developed within a framework established by federal partners and with other individual states. 

North Carolina Africanized Honey Bee Action Plan (2006 Revision)

The plan includes five key elements:

• The plan will utilize the N.C. Honey Bee Identification Laboratory for accurate and timely analyses of honey bee races.  This lab is operated by the NCDA&CS’ Plant Industry Division.
• The plan will initiate an aggressive program to educate the state’s beekeepers, the general public, pest control operators, and the medical and public health community.
• The plan will incorporate quarantines that may be necessary to slow the spread of the AHB into the state and to manage the AHB when it becomes established.
• The plan will include research components focused on the biology of the AHB in order to minimize its overall impact on the beekeepers and the general public.
• The plan strongly recommends that North Carolina establish itself as a self-sufficient beekeeping community with ample queen and package resources in order to meet the needs of the state’s beekeepers.

Africanized Honey Bee

Resources available to beekeepers and the general public

PowerPoint Presentations

A series of PowerPoint presentations have been developed to provide both beekeepers and the general public with an overview of the current situation for the AHB and with appropriate responses.

• Africanized “Killer” Bees: A Problem for North Carolina-Dr. David Tarpy, Assistant Professor and Extension Apiculturist, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University.

Presentation for Beekeepers- ( PowerPoint Version  |    PDF Version )

Presentation for the General Public- ( PowerPoint Version  |    PDF Version )

In order to effectively evaluate and assess the overall educational effort, presenters are encouraged to print survey forms and instructions and distribute pre and post each of the sessions.  Completed forms should be mailed to:  Ms. Vickie Pyle, Administrative Assistant, N.C. State Apiculture Program, Department of Entomology, Campus Box 7613, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613.  Your participation in this effort ensures there is an effective way to objectively capture information.

Publications and Information

Beekeeping Notes

• Africanized Honey Bees: Where are they now and when will they arrive in North Carolina? Publication No. 1.01.
• Africanized Honey Bees: Prevention and Control - Publication No. 1.02.
• Africanized Honey Bees: Some questions and answers - Publication No. 1.03.
• The African Honey Bee-A Case Study of a Biological Invasion, Article from Bee Culture, April 2006.
• North Carolina Africanized Honey Bee Action Plan-2006.
• Best Management Practices (Under development)

Web Links

• North Carolina Africanized Honey Bee web site: www.ncahb.com
• NCDA&CS Apiary Inspection Program - http://www.ncagr.com/plantindustry/plant/apiary/apiary.htm
• NCSU Apiculture Program-http://entomology.ncsu.edu/apiculture
• State Beekeepers Association-www.ncbeekeepers.org
• USDA AHB Map: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=11059&page=6