In regards to the current honeybee disappearances in USA...?

Question

What effect could the newly migrated africanized bees have on the American honey bee? Do they attack them or pretty much ignore them? If this decline in "normal" honey bees continues what are the chances that the new Africanized "killer bees" will try to fill this newly emptied ecological niche?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africanized_bee

Answer 1

The basic problem seems to be with a bee virus.  Whether the newly migrated Africanized bees are immune to it or not remains to be seen. It's terrifying to think of swarms of killer bees being imported and placed in orchards across the land, but some type of pollinating insect is needed and if the North American bees are dying out (and they have been over the past few years) something will have to fill the gap. Either that, or we all get out a paint brush and play birds and bees in the trees by handpollinating -- and what do you suppose THAT will do to the cost of orchard (and other) produce?

Answer 2

I used to keep bees and there was a heavy decline in the 90's also. They'll spring back. It's just been a slow news year with Britney in rehab and Anna Nicole dead.

Answer 3

I just read a scientific report on dwindling bees. They are losing thier way back to thier hives because of cellphone use. It seems the airwaves are upsetting thier radar.