Animals and Insects

Scientists Finally Know How One Common Pesticide Is Harming Our Bees

Neonicotinoids were approved for commercial use in the 1990s. But their exact environmental impact has been questionable.

Scientists Finally Know How One Common Pesticide Is Harming Our Bees
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Bee populations have declined at alarming rates over the past 20 years, but researchers are just beginning to understand the impact of human activity on our pollinators. Scientists recently uncovered how one of our most commonly used insecticides is wiping out bees.

new study provides a clearer understanding about the specific threats neonicotinoids pose to bee populations. They were approved for commercial use in the 1990s and are used on nearly all corn and canola crops and about half of all soybeans.

Beyond lowering bees' life expectancy, neonicotinoids reduce reproductive success and suppress bees' immune systems, according to the  study. Researchers found colonies are also more likely to permanently lose their queen after prolonged exposure.

Backing Off These Pesticide Restrictions Could Be Bad For Bees
Backing Off These Pesticide Restrictions Could Be Bad For Bees

Backing Off These Pesticide Restrictions Could Be Bad For Bees

Environmentalists and the U.S. government aren't seeing eye to eye on the decision.

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The scientists said they hope their findings will influence lawmakers in regulating insecticides.

But some researchers note that neonicotinoids aren't the only cause of declining bee populations, citing other harmful factors like habitat lossclimate change and the widespread use of other harmful pesticides.