Wild and managed pollinators are on the decline. Locally, this means less successful gardens. The big picture is even more sobering. Dwindling numbers of honeybees, bumblebees, and other pollinating insects threaten our food security. About 1/3 of important food crops require pollinator services.
A number of factors have been linked to pollinator declines, from habitat loss to pathogens. Last spring, two studies published in the journal Science implicated neonicotinoids. Developed in the 80s, neonicotinoids are among the world’s most widely used pesticides. In the U.S., neonicotinoid-treated crops cover 147 million acres.
The pesticide enters the environment during planting. Treated seeds are covered in a talc base; when they are dispersed some of this residue escapes farm machinery – settling on nearby plants and accumulating in soils. Because neonicotinoids are systemic, treated seeds mature into plants with contaminated pollen.
In insects, the neurotoxin can cause disorientation, paralysis, and death. Bees suffer collateral damage. In one of the mentioned studies, researchers found that exposed worker bees collected less pollen, resulting in fewer successful queens. The other study documented that exposure caused bees to lose their ability to return to their home hive.
The European Commission recently decided to impose a two year ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides deemed most harmful. Starting in December, their use will be restricted on crops that are attractive bees and other pollinators.
It remains to be seen if the U.S. will follow suit, and take precautions to help keep our pollinators healthy.
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Web Links
Bees need Europe’s pesticide ban, whatever the UK says
Researchers: Honeybee deaths linked to seed insecticide exposure
http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2012/120111KrupkeBees.html
How You Can Help Pollinators
http://www.fws.gov/pollinators/PollinatorPages/YourHelp.html
Bee deaths: EU to ban neonicotinoid pesticides
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22335520
Photo, taken on November 15, 2012, courtesy of Bob Peterson via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, with partial support from the Field Day Foundation.