In a recent Natural History programme shown on BBC1 TV in the UK a claim was made along the lines " tens of thousands of people are killed annually by honey bees worldwide". I find this claim difficult to believe. In the programme it was put across rather sensationally, with ( need I say) reference to Africanised honey bees in the Americas. If the claim is incorrect I would like to strike a small blow for the facts, and for beekeeping, by presenting a more accurate picture to the Programme makers. The Programme producer argues that deaths from insect stings ( predominantly bees and wasps) are far greater than from all other venomous animals put together, and quotes a reference relating to America, North of Mexico to support this. She then states that the number of deaths from snake bites alone in the world exceeds 10,000 per year, and putting these two statements together, arrives at a basis for the claim. Does anyone have any information on the number of people worldwide that are killed as a result of honey bee stings? Are there any data on death rates in specific countries or continents? References to documented literature would be particularly helpful. Regards, -- Mike Rowbottom Harrogate North Yorkshire UK