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Riled Up is a journal of science, the environment, exploration, new technology, and related commentary.  Contributors include scientists, explorers, engineers, and others who provide perspectives and context not typically offered in general news circulation.  For interested readers, additional resources are included.

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Bad for Bees

Bad for Bees

 

Honeybees (credit: ARS bee labs)

 

Considering the vital importance of honeybees in pollinating crops as varied as almonds, melons, vegetables, fruits, strawberries, squash, and long list of others, maintaining their health is crucial. Sadly, bees have been declining from a condition known as colony collapse disorder. Pesticides based on neuro-toxins are a prime suspect.

The impact of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) on pollinating insects, particularly honey bees, has become clearer as a key factor in bee population declines. Neonics are used to coat field crop seeds including canola (rapeseed), corn, and soybeans and they appear to be the major culprit in colony collapse. Being pollinating insects, bees gather pollen that may contains pesticide residues and infect the hive when they return with their gathered pollen. These agro-chemical cause negative impacts to an insect's nervous and immune systems and have been the subject of much research in the USA and elsewhere. The use of these pesticides has been banned by the European Union and are being reviewed for similar restrictions in America.

A Harvard University video illustrates the concerns and also the need to act quickly to find real solutions. Bad for Bees, indeed! WHB

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