African bees A. m. scutellata were introduced in Brazil in 1956 for a genetic improvement experience. Due to management failures, swarms abandoned the hives and went live free in nature. After that, crossbreeding of African drones and European queens gave rise to a long and impressive occupation of the American continent. In 1990, Africanized bees arrived in the southern US border, having traveled nearly 8,000 kilometers in 34 years.
