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Updated: 11:54 AM Jul 2, 2008
Expert Says Killer Bees in Kansas Won't Cause Big Problem
University of Kansas bee expert expects killer bees to reach Kansas at some point, but says they will stay confined to south-central counties. He says warmer winters are a factor in the bees' migration into Kansas. Posted: 11:54 AM Jul 2, 2008 |
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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Are killer bees coming to Kansas?
University of Kansas bee expert Chip Taylor expects them to, at some point.
Taylor recently returned from Oklahoma, where the aggressive bees have arrived. But Taylor says when the bees move into Kansas, their numbers will be small and confined to counties in the south-central part of the state.
Taylor says global warming could be a factor in the northward migration of Africanized bees. As winters continue to get warmer in Kansas, the bees could make their way across Kansas and into Nebraska.
Last week, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved more than 10 million dollars to research killer bees as well as colony collapse disorder. Declines in bee colonies has been killing off honeybees nationwide, threatening the pollination of nuts, fruits and other crops.
(J. Schafer, Kansas Public Radio)
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I know of two cases this month 9/08, of two people mowing lawns in the Peoria, IL area being attacked by bees in the grass. I know for certain that one was hospitalized and very ill. The description of the bees sounds very much like these killer bees.
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Sorry Christine but your comments are misinformed. Dr. Chip Taylor has monitored the movement of the African Honey Bee almost since their release into the wild. There are few people who know more about AHB's than Chip. His comments are based upon many trips to Central and South America to study these bees and their migration. Movement very far into Kansas will be limited by our harsh winters and the AHB's focus on reporoduction, through swarming, instead of upon honey storage which enables our European bees to survive winters here. To accuse Chip of a lack of experience is simply unfounded. He is probably one of America's top experts on AHB. Having known him for quite a number of years, I can tell you that he does not speak from an "abundance of ignorance". He is also monitoring the decline of the Monarch Butterfly and has done much research on that topic as well. His site on the buttefly is www.monarchwatch.com. Tim Past President Kansas Honey Producers Asssoc.
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