User:DuceMoosolini/Africanized Bee
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The Africanized bee, known colloquially as the "killer bee" or the "asshole bee" is a species of bee hybrid between the European and African bees present in much of the southern United States. It is infamous for its status as an invasive species as well as its high level of violent defensiveness in comparison to other bee varieties, a trait which makes the species dangerous to other animals and occasionally to humans. So run, hide, do whatever you can, because they're coming for you and nothing can stop them! And when they're done, there won't be nothing left, by God!
It has unfortunately been hyped by nature documentaries and sensationalist news stories as a much bigger threat than it really is. This fear-mongering has led to a number of unhelpful and often harmful misconceptions among the well-meaning public. In reality, only about two or three people are killed per year by African bee stings,[1] which makes them less likely to kill you than bathtubs,[2] a mishap with a civilian firearm,[2] and your driving skills[3] (nice turn signal, asshole!). In fact, the term "killer bee" is misleading, as individual bees do not attack anyone, and swarms almost always prioritize defending the hive.[4]
That said, they can still be exceptionally dangerous in the right circumstances. They swarm faster in response to disturbances, are capable of chasing people for a quarter-mile, and people who end up on their shit list often receive ten times more stings than with normal bees.[5] So don't go poking a beehive or anything just because they're less deadly then people think. Yes, you. You know who you are.
A brief, stupid history of the Africanized bee[edit]
The false stuff[edit]
Killer bees are huge, and have lethal venom[edit]
Africanized Bees are in fact on average smaller than standard European bee.[6] Their sting has less potency and less venom than its European counterpart.[4]The real danger seams from their aggressive assault on anything perceived to be a threat to their hive. They defend in vast numbers with a fury of stings.[4]
The true stuff[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Beekeepers warn of summer threat Warner, Amanda. Times Record News, 04.21.09
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Carlson: Guns don't kill people, bathtubs do Greenberg, John Politifact, AUG.15.14
- ↑ U.S. Traffic Deaths Rise for a Second Straight Year Boudette, Neal E. New York Times, FEB.15.17
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Are "killer" Africanized bees really that dangerous? Nicholls, Henry. BBC News. 23.NOV.15
- ↑ Africanized Bees Smithsonian. "Bug Info"
- ↑ Africanized Bee, Texas Invasive Species Institute