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Incident Record

First documented New Mexico Africanized honey bee encounter involved persistent stinging attacks at cattle corral

NMSU describes New Mexico's first Africanized honey bee encounter in October 1993 after a rancher in Hidalgo County reported persistent stinging attacks at a cattle corral. The colony had established in an old tire used to hold salt.

Record ID: NM-HIDALGO-1993-001
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This record is part of a first-pass incident research dataset. Records, categories, and source notes may be updated as additional information is reviewed and verified.
Date 1993-10
Location Unspecified ranch/corral, NM, Hidalgo County, NM
State NM
Record Type Attack / Stinging Incident
Trigger / Activity Animal / Pet / Livestock Encounter
Severity Public Safety Incident
Bee ID Status Confirmed Africanized
Aggression Classification Public Safety Incident

Incident Summary

NMSU describes New Mexico's first Africanized honey bee encounter in October 1993 after a rancher in Hidalgo County reported persistent stinging attacks at a cattle corral. The colony had established in an old tire used to hold salt.

Public-Safety Lesson

Ranch, livestock, and equipment sites can become recurring sting-risk locations when colonies occupy ordinary objects near animals or workers.

Impact Flags

Human Fatality No
Human Hospitalized No
Animal Fatality No
Responder Involved No

Source Information

Source: New Mexico State University Guide L-110

Source Strength: A - Official / Government