Africanized honey bee
1
7.2
- noun
- /ˈæfrɪkənaɪzd ˈhʌni bi/
- Specialized
:
abeja de miel africanizada
- Scientists are studying how the Africanized honey bee adapts to different environments across the Americas.
- Africanized and European honey bees
Examples
-
ARS scientists are monitoring the impact of Africanized honey bees in Mexico, both in the wild and in apiaries, or bee yards; it's the best way to forecast what U.S. beekeepers will be up against in coming years.
Academic text (1996) -
The first Africanized honey bees were found in Texas in 1990.
Academic text (1996) -
Jaramillo points out one benefit of Africanized honey bees.
Academic text (1996) -
The Weslaco lab plays a key role in monitoring changes in populations of the much-publicized Africanized honeybee.
Academic text (1995) -
"By learning what is happening in Mexico, we get an idea of what to advise U.S. beekeepers about and what their best management options will be, once Africanized honey bees arrive in their vicinity," says Wilson.
Academic text (1996) -
Who they are, are the Africanized honey bees—a.k.a. the "killer bees"—and these are reactions from Mexican beekeepers who have to live with them.
Academic text (1996) -
Some Mexican beekeepers see the presence of the Africanized honey bee as a great benefit, a "gift from God," because they believe the hybrids are more resistant to tracheal and varroa mites.
Academic text (1996) -
In areas of South America, the Africanized honey bee has displaced native bee species due to its aggressive behavior.
-
Beekeepers are often warned about the risks associated with the Africanized honey bee because of its defensiveness.
Synonyms
3
6.9
An aggressive bee from Brazil made by crossing African and European honeybees
1
8.0
A type of honeybee made by mixing African and European bees that is very aggressive and spreads fast
How Aggressive
Surface Forms
Morphology
Africanized + honey + bee
The phrase is compositionally built: 'honey bee' denotes the species and 'Africanized' describes its African-derived or crossbred origin. A B1 learner who knows these constituent meanings can readily infer it refers to a type of honey-producing bee with African/African-derived characteristics, so the overall meaning is transparently derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Africanized honey bee began when beekeepers in Brazil mixed African and European bees; some escaped, mated with local bees, and formed colonies that were much more 'defensive' and spread across the Americas. So, the word Africanized points to their African origin and helps explain why these honey bees are known for being 'defensive' today.