Population Change and Control of Africanized Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Panama Canal Area

Abstract

A 48-month study of Africanized honey bee (hybrid Apis mellifera scutellata) colonization began upon the arrival of the first swarms in the Panama Canal area in early 1982. An intensive campaign of public education and bee control was implemented by United States and Panamanian governmental agencies, thereby reducing public health risk and guarding against dispersal of Africanized honey bees by ship. The Panama Canal Commission eliminated a total of 1,175 colonies, including 48 on board ships in transit. Population growth by Africanized honey bees within the study area (50 km2), as shown by numbers of swarms and nests controlled, peaked in 2 years. Both swarms and nesting colonies were recorded throughout the year, with peak sighlings occurring in the dry season January–April) and the early rainy season. Such peaks coincided with intervals of floral abundance. In the Atlantic area, unusually large swarms formed during the early rainy season, perhaps the result of coalescence of small swarms and increased absconding by large established colonies. In residential and industrial areas of the Panama Canal, >70% of nesting colonies were associated with artificial structures and materials. Rapid, effective morphometric techniques were used to differentiate Africanizecl from European races of honey bees and to document the progress of Africanization. Hybrid worker bees now in Panama are smaller than those measured in 1982 and are similar to honey bees found in equatorial Africa in size and behavioral characteristics. Although numbers of swarms and nests reported have diminished, severe stinging attacks still occur, resulting in hospitalization of human victims and deaths of domestic animals.