Killer Bees spreading in the South.

[Ripley]

Now before you cheer the bees on to kill folks in the Red States...

snip>>

State agriculture officials have trapped Africanized bees in Mobile County as the so-called "killer bees" continue spreading from Texas into other states.

The Africanized bees are more territorial and more aggressive, though they actually have less potent venom than other bees.

Jimmy Carmack, Vice President of the Alabama Beekeepers Association, said fears of the bees have always been overblown. "It's not like it might be portrayed in the horror movie...It's sting is no more deadly than any other honey bee, but more of them will come after you and stay after you for a longer period of time."

The bees are the offspring of 27 African queen bees that were accidentally released in Brazil in 1957. Bees are not native to the Americas, but honey bees were imported from Europe in the 1600s.

snip>>

Sorry I can't provide a link...the story is a few days old from my local paper.

I remember reading a thread on DU awhile back where people claimed the whole "killer bee" thing was racist because the bees are Africanized. I'm not an expert in bees, but that just sounds like a ridiculous thing to say. As someone allergic to Wasps (no pun intended), I don't really care if they are originally from Africa, China, or the freaking Moon Rocks! I'm careful around all stinging bugs and I don't harass them.

I find it interesting that bees aren't native to the Americas...which insects did the pollinating before the 1600's?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I thought the killer bee thing was sort of an urban myth?

I mean they exist but that the media is playing them up in order to keep us form focusing on more important issues?

[Ripley]

2. It was a very tiny article in my local Regional section.

I don't think it's being played up. I just thought it was interesting, since most people wonder what happened to those bees.

[meow mix]

3. its not being played, last week the bees put 7 ohio workers in the

hospital. one was comatose.

anyways, this was moved to lounge but its probally science/energy/environment material.

[Ripley]

5. Really 7 people in Ohio?

I used to live there. That's where I got stung by a vicious wasp and had to go to the hospital.

Africanized bees are in Ohio? Really? Oh wait, I get it...this is the Lounge, so you're fucking with me. Ok. Duh.

[meow mix]

6. oops! oklahoma. =)

sorry..

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Officials say seven county workers recently hospitalized in Tillman County are victims of an attack by Africanized killer bees.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/koco/20040825/lo_koco/2345598

[Ripley]

7. You, you, you, you... deceiver!

There's a big geographical difference between Oklahoma and Ohio.

You made a big oops..

But that's okay, you're American schooled right?

[meow mix]

8. yup! school of Wats Happ'n Now.

sorry they both start with o's and so the signals got mixed up.
prolly got some bong resin on my neurals. =(

[Ripley]

9. You need to stop...

Killer Bees in Ohio according to you...


Is a lie...and you admitted so. Terrible.

[cedahlia]

4. I had a book about them when I was a kid

It scared the bejeezus out of me! The book had me thinking they'd be arriving in my backyard (Maryland, to be exact) in about a year or so (and this was circa 1987!) That silly B movie called "Swarm" (or whatever it was called) didn't help much either! :D