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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The role of pesticides in the decline of bees (and other insects), and specifically of neonicotinoid insecticides, has been a hot-button issue. There is a large body of research that points toward the impact of neonicotinoids on bees due to the insidious nature of these systemic insecticides.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Xerces Society has just released a new report, “How Neonicotinoids Can Kill Bees.” Summarizing hundreds of studies, this report provides an in-depth look at the science behind the role these insecticides play in harming bees. The text is illustrated with photos and graphics that explain key information, making research that can appear daunting more approachable.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">You can download the report from <a href="http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/">http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/</a>. You’ll also find links to recommendations for what needs to be done to address the problem of neonicotinoids.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">This report replaces the groundbreaking 2012 report, “Are Neonicotinoids Killing Bees?” The question in that title reflected the uncertainty at that time. Since then, there has been a substantial quantity of published research and the understanding of how neonicotinoids harm bees and other pollinators has grown considerably—removing the question mark. For example, four years ago, knowledge of how neonicotinoids interacted with bumble bees was limited. Studies completed since then create a solid body of evidence showing the damaging effects of these insecticides on bumble bees. Understanding how neonicotinoids harm bumble bees is especially important as it is estimated that more than a quarter of North America’s bumble bee species are at risk of extinction. In fact, in proposing Endangered Species Act protection for the rusty patched bumble bee, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically noted that neonicotinoids and other pesticides could be part of the problem.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“How Neonicotinoids Can Kill Bees” reviews a considerable number of recent studies, but additional research was published after the report was finished—and continues to be released. To ensure that information about the latest studies is accessible, Xerces has created an online annotated bibliography of new research about pesticide impacts on pollinators and other beneficial insects. This will be continuously updated and expanded. You can access it from <a href="http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/">http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">There’s more information about all of this in an article by Aimee Code, Xerces’ pesticide program director, published on our blog, <a href="http://www.xerces.org/blog/new-report-how-neonicotinoids-can-kill-bees/">http://www.xerces.org/blog/new-report-how-neonicotinoids-can-kill-bees/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">----------</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Matthew Shepherd</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Communications Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><img border="0" width="128" height="48" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D25601.D69C76E0" alt="Xerces-logo-CMYK-email_Outlook"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Protecting the Life That Sustains Us</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Connect: <a href="http://www.xerces.org/">www.xerces.org</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/xerces.society/">Facebook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/xercessociety">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/xercessociety/?hl=en">Instagram</a> <a href="http://www.xerces.org/blog/">Blog</a> <a href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001HTk7N6nZumLPinBr8VACbNdTXCe732bGu6KpqC13JAKPti_HBe5xyr7t0p4mDfKe2dOsd-TB1qvv772s6GQfVa_SbKKfwBiwl4blH4KvCjq4dpmA2M9UNZ2axlQwu_1Gvjrl2Rb53WUZwsddwCzyorgxedLAaMy3">E-newsletter</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">628 NE Broadway, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97232, USA</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Office: (503) 232-6639 x110</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Cell: (503) 807-1577</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:matthew.shepherd@xerces.org">matthew.shepherd@xerces.org</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></body></html>