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RESEARCH

Pollinators are fundamental to human survival, yet their numbers are decreasing because of new threats, which include pesticides.  Thankfully, attention to this issue has brought funding and expertise to help us fully understand the problems and solutions.  Below you will find linked research about pollinators and pesticides, which we have categorized for easier reference.  Research is ongoing, and Google Scholar is the best way to stay up to date with the most current findings.

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Gardening for Pollinators 

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Links to info about pollinator-friendly pesticide alternatives


 

Neonics and Mites

Lewis J Bartlett, Suleyman Alparslan, Selina Bruckner, Deborah A Delaney, John F Menz, Geoffrey R Williams, Keith S Delaplane, Neonicotinoid exposure increases Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) mite parasitism severity in honey bee colonies and is not mitigated by increased colony genetic diversity, Journal of Insect Science, Volume 24, Issue 3, May 2024, 20, https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieae056

  • This new study is the first to prove a link between sublethal neonic exposure and an increase in varroa mites. 

 

Sublethal and Synergistic

Traynor, K. S., Pettis, J. S., Tarpy, D. R., Mullin, C. A., Frazier, J. L., Frazier, M., & vanEngelsdorp, D. (2021). "In-hive pesticide exposome: Assessing risks to migratory honey bees from in-hive pesticide contamination in the Eastern United States." Scientific Reports, 11(1), 6263. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep33207

  • This study examines the in-hive pesticide contamination levels and their sublethal effects on migratory honeybees, highlighting the complex pesticide exposure bees are subjected to.

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Wu-Smart, J., & Spivak, M. (2021). "Sublethal effects of pesticide residues in brood comb on worker honey bee (Apis mellifera) development and longevity." PLOS ONE, 16(2), e0247686. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3044129/

  • The paper investigates the sublethal effects of pesticide residues in brood comb on honeybee development and longevity, showing how even low-level contamination can adversely affect bee life stages.

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Pereira, N. C., Diniz, T. O., & Takasusuki, M. C. C. R. (2020). Sublethal effects of neonicotinoids in bees: a review. Scientific Electronic Archives, 13(7), 142–152. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342610190_Sublethal_effects_of_neonicotinoids_in_bees_a_review

  • This review concludes that sublethal effects on bees contaminated with neonicotinoids are highly relevant in the disappearance of bees all over the world.

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Wu-Smart J, Spivak M. Sub-lethal effects of dietary neonicotinoid insecticide exposure on honey bee queen fecundity and colony development. Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 26;6:32108. doi: 10.1038/srep32108. PMID: 27562025; PMCID: PMC4999797. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4999797/

  • This study is the first to show the adverse effects of imidacloprid on queen bee fecundity and behavior and improves our understanding of how neonicotinoids may impair short-term colony functioning.

 

 Alaux, C., Brunet, J. L., Dussaubat, C., Mondet, F., Tchamitchan, S., Cousin, M., ... & Le Conte, Y. (2010). "Interactions between Nosema microspores and a neonicotinoid weaken honeybees (Apis mellifera)." Environmental Microbiology, 12(3), 774-782. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2847190/

  • This study examines the combined effects of Nosema infections and sublethal doses of a neonicotinoid pesticide, revealing how these factors can synergistically impair honeybee health.

 

Henry, M., Beguin, M., Requier, F., Rollin, O., Odoux, J. F., Aupinel, P., ... & Decourtye, A. (2012). "A common pesticide decreases foraging success and survival in honey bees." Science, 336(6079), 348-350. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22461498/

  • This research highlights the sublethal effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide on honeybee foraging behavior and survival, showing how even low levels of exposure can have significant impacts.

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Gill, R. J., Ramos-Rodriguez, O., & Raine, N. E. (2012). "Combined pesticide exposure severely affects individual- and colony-level traits in bees." Nature, 491(7422), 105-108. https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11585

  • The paper explores the effects of combined exposure to two commonly used pesticides, demonstrating the severe consequences for honeybee behavior and colony health.

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Williamson, S. M., & Wright, G. A. (2013). "Exposure to multiple cholinergic pesticides impairs olfactory learning and memory in honeybees." Journal of Experimental Biology, 216(10), 1799-1807.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641805/

  • This research shows how prolonged exposure to field-realistic (sublethal) concentrations of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid affects honeybee olfactory learning and memory, essential functions for foraging and survival.

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Tsvetkov, N., Samson-Robert, O., Sood, K., Patel, H. S., Malena, D. A., Gajiwala, P. H., ... & Zayed, A. (2017). "Chronic exposure to neonicotinoids reduces honey bee health near corn crops." Science, 356(6345), 1395-1397. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aam7470

  • The study provides evidence of how chronic sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids near corn crops leads to reduced honeybee health, highlighting the impact of agricultural practices on pollinator populations.

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https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/16-022_01_XercesSoc_How-Neonicotinoids-Can-Kill-Bees_web.pdf

Swarm of Bees

Unfortunately, through our work, we are seeing that the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as state agencies, are not friends to pollinators, but rather prioritize the interests of big agriculture and chemical companies who have the funding to support large lobbying efforts.  Read more here.  In order to protect pollinators and compete to have our voice heard, your financial support is essential.  Help us to demand change by becoming a member or donating today.  

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