Definition of the word killer bee

The term "killer bee" refers to certain strains of Africanized honey bees that originated in Brazil in the 1950s. The hybrid bee species resulted from the intentional breeding of European honey bees with African bees that were brought to South America in the late 1800s. The Africanized honey bees became known as "killer bees" because they exhibited more aggressive and defensive behavior than traditional European honey bees. These bees are highly protective of their hives and swarms can number in the hundreds or even thousands. Their venomous stinger also contains a pheromone that can stimulate other bees to attack, making it easier for them to overwhelm and sting multiple targets. The term "killer bee" gained widespread publicity in the 1970s and 80s as the Africanized bees moved northwards into the United States and Europe. The threat of these bees posed a serious risk to people, animals, and the environment as they could potentially outcompete native bee species and impact ecosystems. Additionally, because of the swarming behavior and high level of aggression, the sting of these bees can result in more severe allergic reactions than other honey bees. Today, the term "killer bee" is still used to describe the Africanized honey bee subspecies, but efforts to understand and manage the population of these bees are more focused on their ecological impacts and the potential to mitigate negative consequences rather than simply labeling them as dangerous.