African Bees: Potential Impact in the United States

There seem to be no guidelines for predicting the various impacts an invading species such as the African bee, Apis mellifera scutellata, might have on an indigenous fauna and flora, and on people and human endeavors. Although some consequences can be estimated in these cases, often, important variables such as weather and economics, that will determine the magnitude of the impact, remain unpredictable. Thus, precise statements are likely to be incorrect. Nevertheless, given specific premises, and some basic assumptions, it is possible to bracket the possible outcomes. In the discussion that follows I will emphasize the biological attributes of feral African bees and how these attributes might affect the honeybee industry, agriculture and the public in the United States.