ABSTRACT
Africanized bees have more rapid colony growth and have higher rates of swarming and absconding than European bees. In addition, Africanized colonies produce more drones than European colonies in the neotropics which may lead to a numerical advantage of Africanized drones in matings. Manageable and productive Africanized colonies with intermediate characteristics were maintained by beekeepers who were willing to modify their management practices and requeen or kill the undesirable Africanized colonies. The Africanization process in three areas of Costa Rica can be summarized as follows: In a lowland area such as San Isidro, there was a rapid establishment of a feral Africanized population, and there appeared to be a rapid turnover from a "strongly European" to a "strongly Africanized" population. The establishment of a feral Africanized population in recreational areas and cities and the stinging incidents which stem from these colonies have been the most pressing problems in the neotropics.
