Bee Identification

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Texas Honey Bee Identification Lab

With the arrival of Africanized honey bees in Texas, it is sometimes important to know if a bee colony contains Africanized members. Although the Texas Cooperative Extension does not make site visits for bee control purposes, we can refer you to competent persons (such as beekeepers, pest control operators or other emergency personnel) for control. In addition, the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University will examine bee samples to determine the probability of Africanization. Currently there is no charge for this service, and the lab will accept bee samples from any location in Texas. To ensure accurate identification, samples must include proper collection information and adequate numbers of bees must be submitted.

Because Africanized honey bees are nearly identical in appearance to domesticated (European) honey bees, identification requires sophisticated equipment and a computer. At least 10 to 20 bees from the colony must be submitted to accurately test whether the colony is Africanized. Individual bees cannot be reliably identified.

View and/or print the fact sheet:
How to Send in Honey Bee Samples for Identification [PDF]