KILLER BEE: The killer bee, or Africanized honeybee, is highly sensitive to pheromones, each of which elicits a different behavior from the colony. When it stings an intruder, the killer bee releases an alarm pheromone. The scent, reminiscent of the smell of bananas, calls the colony to "battle." The attack is quick, furious and relentless. Though a single killer bee is no more venomous than the European honeybee, together these 1-inch warriors can kill a human in a matter of minutes. Unlike the European honeybee, the killer bee responds to threats almost instantaneously and in huge numbers, chases its victims for up to a quarter of a mile and remains excited for several days after an attack. The queen gives off her own, unique pheromones, which elicit altogether different reactions from the hive. One queen bee pheromone attracts a retinue of workers to her side so that they can provide her with food, water and protection if needed. Another attracts drones on mating flights. Still others prevent worker bees from reproducing. By producing pheromones, the queen maintains control over the colony and many aspects of its functioning.