Bee Hives.

[Edmund]

How do I know if a particular area in a tropical forest contains any bee/hornet/wasp hives?

[Rick]

I give up. How do you know?

[Edmund]

I don't know. That's why I'm asking, maybe someone out there may know?

[Alpine_Sapper]

How do I know if a particular area in a tropical forest contains any bee/hornet/wasp hives?

You'll see bee/hornet/wasp's flying around.

[Pict]

I have run into bees/wasps/hornets often in Brazil.

Here is a short video of one such encounter...

Death in the Tall Grass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z3WhnAq6P0&feature=channel_page)

These are wasps that build melon sized nests in the grass. They will swarm the outside of the nest and buzz loudly when approached. If you disturb them further they will attack but if you back off they calm down.

As for locating honey bees in Brazil they are best avoided as they are all Africanized and very territorial/aggressive. I was once sitting on a large rock in the mountains and a huge swarm suddenly rose up from the other side and flew off. No harm no foul, but it was a definite "soiled underwear" moment.

When harvesting vines for shelters it is essential to scan the trees above to avoid disturbing hornet nests. The last thing you want to do is pull a nest down to your level.

Aside from all that just pay attention and watch where they go. That will give you more of an indication than anything else. Mac

[trax]

You'll see bee/hornet/wasp's flying around.

Wow! You're like....Sherlock Holmes or something! That was amazing, I'm going to be sure to watch out for those and I'm not even in a tropical forest (it works other places, too right?)

[crashdive123]

Don't leave home without it.

http://www.fragile-planet.co.uk/images/Suit.gif

[Rick]

You don't have to worry about this kind of bee, though.

http://reluctantoptimist.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/saturday-night-live-season-1-20061204000845066.jpg