Africanized honey bees, often called "killer bees," are a hybrid of the African honey bee and various European honey bee subspecies. They were created in Brazil in the 1950s to increase honey production. However, some swarms escaped quarantine and spread throughout South and Central America, arriving in the United States in 1985. They are now established in the southern United States.
Although they look similar to European honey bees, Africanized honey bees are much more defensive. They react faster to disturbances, attack in greater numbers, and pursue perceived threats for longer distances—up to a quarter of a mile. Their venom is no more potent than that of regular honeybees, but because they sting in larger numbers, they pose a greater risk. They nest in various places, including tires, boxes, and holes in the ground, increasing the chance of accidental encounters. Despite their reputation, experts say that people can coexist with AHB by learning about the bees and their habits.
