The correct spelling of the bee species commonly known as the African honey bee is "Apis mellifera scutellata". It is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription \əˈpɪs ˌmɛlɪˈfɛrə skjuːtəˈlɑːtə\. The "Apis" is pronounced with the schwa sound (\ə\) followed by "piss". "Mellifera" is pronounced with "mel-i-fair-uh", with the emphasis on the second syllable. "Scutellata" is pronounced with "skew-tuh-lah-tuh", with the emphasis on the second-to-last syllable. It's important to spell scientific names correctly to avoid confusion and ensure accurate communication among researchers.
Apis mellifera scutellata is a subspecies of the Western honey bee, also known as the Africanized honey bee or the killer bee. It is native to the tropical regions of Africa, primarily in the areas south of the Sahara Desert. This subspecies is well-known for its aggressive behavior, strong defensive instincts, and tendency to swarm more frequently than other subspecies.
Apis mellifera scutellata has become infamous due to its hybridization with European honey bees introduced into the Americas in the mid-20th century. These hybrid bees inherited the aggressive traits and swarm behavior of the Africanized honey bees, leading to their notorious reputation as "killer bees."
In terms of physical characteristics, Apis mellifera scutellata shares the typical characteristics of honey bees. They have a compact body covered in fine hairs, a pair of large compound eyes, and a pair of antennae used for communication and navigation. They have a specialized proboscis for collecting nectar from flowers, and pollen sacs on their hind legs to aid in the collection and transportation of pollen.
Overall, Apis mellifera scutellata is a subspecies of honey bees characterized by their aggressive behavior, tendency to swarm, and distinct geographical origins in Africa.