[Pollinator] New report -- How Neonicotinoids Can Kill Bees

[Matthew Shepherd]

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.



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.



You can download the report from
http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/. You’ll also find links to
recommendations for what needs to be done to address the problem of
neonicotinoids.



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.



“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 http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/



There’s more information about all of this in an article by Aimee Code,
Xerces’ pesticide program director, published on our blog,
http://www.xerces.org/blog/new-report-how-neonicotinoids-can-kill-bees/







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Matthew Shepherd

Communications Director



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Protecting the Life That Sustains Us



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