No. 033 · insect · Risk: High
Africanized Honey Bee
Apis mellifera scutellata
In season · SeptemberSouthwestPacific West
- Field tell
- Looks like a European honey bee; the difference is behavior — large numbers defending a nest aggressively.
- Why it matters
- Run in a straight line to shelter or a vehicle; do not jump in water. Call 911 for multiple stings or breathing difficulty.
- Habitat
- Desert and suburban Southwest; feral colonies in cavities, meters, and water boxes.
- Season
- Year-round in the low desert; most defensive in warm months.
STING
If you're stung by a bee or wasp
- Move away from the nest or swarm — more stings may follow.
- If a stinger is in the skin (honey bee), scrape it out with a card; don't pinch the venom sac.
- Wash the site, apply a cold pack, and watch for spreading swelling.
- Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, dizziness, or hives beyond the sting — these are signs of anaphylaxis. Use epinephrine if prescribed.
Not medical advice. Call 911 or Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Related insects
- Yellowjacket — Bright yellow-and-black wasp; nests in the ground or in cavities. Attracted to food and drinks at camps.