In an attempt to develop an accurate and efficient method for distinguishing the Africanized bee from the common European honeybee, UC Davis researchers are making use of an automated process that analyzes the bee's genetic makeup. They are using the RAPD technique, a form of the polymerase chain reaction process, which allows scientists to chemically mark the bee's DNA -- its genetic code of instructions. Postdoctoral fellow Michael Crosland, working with Professor Robert Page of the UC Davis entomology department, has screened 500 chemical markers or "primers" to determine which are the most useful in identifying the Africanized bee. Crosland has found 10 primers that can be used successfully in combination for identification purposes. He will report his findings at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, during a talk on "New Rapid Genetic Markers for Detecting Africanized Bee Genes." "We'll now use the RAPD technique for a population genetics study of bees in California," says Crosland. "We need to know which genes are present in California bees so that we'll realize when that genetic pool is changing with the introduction of the Africanized bee." The Africanized bee could have major economic implications for California agriculture, which relies on commercially distributed bees to pollinate many of its crops. Accurate identification is crucial, because once Africanized bees are found in California, transport of commercial bees to and from the county of origin would likely be prohibited.