>>... European-matriline  (Africanized) swarms escaping from apiaries were clearly not a major component of the feral African populations...

I've read reports that Africanized bees failed to expand to the southern tip of South America and that their expansion stopped somewhere in Argentina.

This gives hope to the northern regions of the US (and Canada).  While Africanized genes may get brought in by migratory operation of package/queen shipments from the southern states, Africanized swarms may not survive the long, cold winters in feral settings.  As long as beekeepers mind their hives, Africanized genes may not gain a lasting foothold in the north.

Waldemar
Long Island, NY (where we are experiencing a relatively mild winter this year...)

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---