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<p><br>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="-1">Africanized
bees sometimes attack people and animals who unwarily stray into the territory
they defend around their nests. Many serious stinging incidents have resulted
in life-threatening injury and death.</FONT></p>
<P><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">Though their
venom is no more potent than that of our native European honey bee, Africanized
bees respond in greater numbers and pursue intruders for greater distances.
Also, disturbed colonies may remain agitated for as long as 24 hours,
attacking perceived threats up to a quarter mile from the hive. Any person
or animal in the patrolled area is vulnerable. <i>THE NEST, ITSELF,
NEED
NOT BE DISTURBED</I>. Africanized bees may respond aggressively
to everyday
occurrences such as vibrations generated by passing vehicles, power equipment,
and even foot traffic. </font> </p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">When disturbed,
individual bees emit iso-pentyl acetate, the honey bee "alarm"
pheromone, and high concentrations are deposited with the stinger at the
sting site. Pheromones are chemicals produced by animals allowing individuals
of a species to communicate. This one acts as an airborne chemical beacon
to other bees, who "pile on" in ever increasing numbers.
</font></P>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"
size="-1">A single
honey bee sting can yield almost 0.1 mg of venom and it is widely accepted
500 or more stings can be life threatening to an adult. Researchers in
Brazil reported physicians treating patients with 500 or more stings should
be advised, " . . . multi-systemic disorders are likely, including
intravascular haemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, acute tublar necrosis . . .
cardiovascular and respiratory failure should be anticipated 1."
</font></p>
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