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American beekeepers, apiculturists in other nations are more concerned about honey production. Expanding their awareness, Harman noted, requires some very delicate diplomacy.
Even more delicate is the relationship between beekeepers and “killer bees,” those legendary, sting-crazy harbingers of an insect apocalypse.
“They are a sub-species of honey bee, and they are not to be taken lightly,” Harman warned. “They are unpredictable, and a danger to people.
“But a policy of education is very effective,” Harman continued. “Mexico knew the bee Was coming, and the government did an excellent job of educating people.”
Harman prefers the more accurate label, “Africanized,” to the mediainflated concept of a “killer” bee. Nonbeekeepers often perceive pollen as a sign of allergy attacks, and bees only mean stings. In that context, the “killer” bee is a logical exaggeration.
Defusing the bad image of the bee is part of Harman’s educational mission. In addition to the Africanized bee, Harman attributed some of the honey bee’s image problem to the “trigger happy” yellow jacket.
“A honey bee out foraging has nothing to defend,” Harman said. “They sting for a purpose. It’s defensive, not aggressive.
“When you swat at a bee, you become the aggressor. If someone walking by you on the street suddenly punched you, you would want to punch back. The bee is doing the same thing.”
See BEES, Page 27
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