ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book reviews the major topics concerning Africanized honey bees. It discusses the use of morphometries and allozymes. The book provides a general review of honey bee genetics and breeding by Page and Kerr; this includes a review by Kerr of what measures have been taken in Brazil. It presents the detailed accounts of the genetic work on defensive behavior in European and Africanized bees. Africanized bees have been stereotyped as having high rates of swarming and absconding, rapid colony growth, and fierce defensive behavior. The book also discusses issues related to beekeeping in Costa Rica. A preference for African bees is also probably dependent on the availability and affordability of both feral swarms and beekeeping technology that allows management of highly defensive bees.
