NEONICOTINOID INSECTICIDES AND BEES

As the name of the insecticide indicates, it is chemically similar to nicotine. It has only been widely used in agriculture since 2004 and shortly afterwards massive bee dieoffs started. Everything from global warming to mites was originally blamed however this recent study by a Laval Masters student is not the first pointing the finger at neonicotinoid insecticides on corn and soya seeds .

Bees are crucial in pollinating plants as they fly from flower to flower. The insecticides when used within three kilometres of a bee apiaries apparently caused a tripling of bee mortality. Clearly the seed industry are not pleased with the finger being pointed at them. If indeed bee dieoffs are a consequence of a better insecticide for corn and soya; it certainly would not be the first collateral damage caused by human ingenuity. DDT was fabulous in reducing malaria while damaging bird populations. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring (1963) warned us early on of unintended consequences of man made chemical interventions. Last Monday's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Insecticide threatens bees, student argues".