OBSERVATIONS ON THE AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES OF APIS MELLIFERA ADANSONII

Mohammad Gbate

Science Laboratory Technology Department

The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

E-mail: gbatenda@yahoo.com

Abstract: Aggressive behavior of Apis mellifera adansonii was studied using leather balls. Parameters for measuring aggressive tendencies include; time taken for first sting to occur, time taken to be fierce, distance they follow intruder, number of stings left on the ball and time taken to become peaceful. Result confirmed the age long held believe that A. m. adansonii displays more aggressive tendencies than its European siblings; it followed intruders up to 423.57 meters, stung within 2.67seconds of being disturbed, became very fierce in 4.33 seconds, took 3060 seconds to become peaceful and left 8.7 stings per square centimeter of the ball. This has serious implication for bee keepers who must prepare adequately to harvest the honey store of these bees.