Africanized honey bees were first recorded in
Arizona in 1993 (Guzman-Novoa and Page, 1994; Loper, 1997), and
the greater Tucson metropolitan area supports an abundant population
(Baum et al., 2008). In areas with Africanized honey bees,
the feral population is primarily Africanized.

We obtained data on Africanized honey bee colony removals from water
meter boxes in the greater Tucson metropolitan area from 1996 to 2008 to identify characteristics associated
with the spatial distribution of Africanized honey bees across the city. Two generalized linear
models were constructed to predict the occupation of water meter boxes based on land use, lot/structure
characteristics, and the presence of colonies in neighboring water meter boxes. 

More than 8000 colonies
were removed from water meter boxes during the 12-year study period. Colonies were more likely to
occupy water meter boxes associated with residential (versus commercial) locations, smaller lots, older
structures, closer distances to vacant land, and higher percentages of neighboring water meter boxes
with colonies. Occupied water meter boxes and boxes with multiple occupancies were concentrated in
South Central Tucson, suggesting this area provides abundant resources for honey bees and that well
established, source colonies exist in this area.

Kristen A. Baum, et al. Landscape and Urban Planning 100 (2011) 153–162

Contributed by PLB

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