CS Globe - A new study out of Harvard University, published in the June edition of the Bulletin of Insectology puts the nail in the coffin: neonicotinoids are killing bees at an exponential rate, they are the direct cause of the phenomenon labeled as colony collapse disorder.
Neonicotinoid’s are the world’s most widely used insecticides.
“The results from this study not only replicate findings from the previous study, but also reinforce the conclusion that the sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids is likely the main culprit for the occurrence of CCD.”
These pesticide components are found in soil, they are also found in fields where the chemicals are not even sprayed. Bees also actively transfer contaminated pollen from primarily pesticide treated corn crops and bring it back to their hives.
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"These pesticide components are found in soil, they are also found in fields where the chemicals are not even sprayed."
The plants do not have to be sprayed, seeds can be pretreated with various neonic compounds prior to planting. Almost all commercial seed intended for industrial agricultural planting is pre-treated.
The pesticide is taken up systemically through the entire plant---including the eventual pollens. All of the plant tissues will contain trace amounts of the pesticide. The neonics have varying degrees of persistence, that is the time they remain potent in the environment after the fact. Some compounds are believed to remain persistent for at least up to eighteen months.
So, considering residual contamination from the seeds upon initial planting, followed by reintegration of plant material into the soil through tillage after the harvest pesticide levels can significantly accumulate. Those accumulations needn't be much, for approximately four nano-grams can be lethal to bees.
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