An vital a part of manhood has at all times been about having the competence to be efficient on the planet — having the breadth of abilities, the savoir-faire, to deal with any state of affairs you end up in. With that in thoughts, every Sunday we’ll be republishing one of many illustrated guides from our archives, so you possibly can hone your manly know-how week by week.
In 1978, The Swarm premiered in theaters throughout the nation and illustrated the uncooked, damaging capabilities of bees. Within the movie, starring a younger Michael Caine, swarms of bees crash helicopters, derail trains, and wreak havoc on communities. If that sounds ridiculous, it was, however then once more, these weren’t simply any bees. These have been killer bees.
In actuality, when individuals discuss killer bees, they’re referring to the Africanized honeybee. Developed within the 50s, the Africanized honeybee is a hybrid of Western honeybees and East African honeybees. The aim of this experimental cross-breed was to extend honey manufacturing. However in 1957, swarms of the bees escaped quarantine in Brazil and started working their method towards North America. In the present day, they are often discovered all through the Southwest (in addition to Florida) and are spreading slightly extra annually.
These hybrid pollinators bought their “killer” identify due to their extraordinarily defensive conduct. They sting extra and chase farther, in some instances following individuals for greater than 1 / 4 of a mile. As particular person bees, they’re no extra venomous than a median honeybee. However as a gaggle, killer bees can grow to be a lethal drive; tons of of their stings will inject sufficient venom to overwhelm the physique’s important capabilities.
Killer bees make their nests in all the standard locations you’d anticipate: in rotten logs, beneath home eaves, and underground. They’re sometimes most aggressive in spring when making new hives. It’s presently of the 12 months after they have a tendency to maneuver in giant swarms. If you end up of their path, or by accident disrupt their hive, right here’s what to do.
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