Neonicotinoids and Bees By Malika Payton

Introduction In Europe the usage of insecticides were authorized since 1991. Its purpose was to prevent insects from ruing crops like sugar beets and rapeseed Neonicotinoids are neurotoxins target the central nervous system which can lead to paralysis and death. In European countries the chemicals clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid are commonly used. (persistent in the environment)

Honeybees Habitat They live in gardens, woodlands, orchards, meadows and other areas where flowering plants are abundant. Neonicotinoid are sprayed on the plants bees pollinate

Neonicotinoids in the Environment The neonicotinoid would be carelessly released in to the environment by spraying neonicotinoids on crops, seed treatment and soil application. When the neonicotinoid chemicals clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid are sprayed they are present in the plant’s pollen, nectar, and guttation fluids

Neonicotinoids health and chemical effects on bees The honeybees are exposed to a mixture of chemicals. It is unknown of the magnitude of all the chemicals combine but individual each chemical produces certain effect to the honeybees. Motor skills of the honeybees get disrupted by the chemicals Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam and Clothianidin. When Thiamethoxam is present, honeybees excessively groom themselves. Plus there is decline of smell memory and memory lost Behavior changes happens when Imidacloprid is released Behavior change in walking, flying, grooming, remaining still and falling upside down

Actions to help stop decline of honeybees in Europe . EFSA requested the evaluation of the pesticides and bee’s reaction to the neonicotinoids. As of right now there are restriction on the toxins clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. Neonicotinoids in seed treatments of rapeseed is banned in the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority will re-evaluate the risk for pollinators caused by neonicotinoids in seed treatments presumably by 2017.

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