1. Neonicotinoids and Bees
By Malika Payton

2. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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

9. 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.

10. References
Aliouane Y, el Hassani AK, Gary V, Armengaud C, Lambin M, Gauthier, M Subchronic exposure of honeybees to sub lethal doses of pesticides: effects on behavior. Environmental toxicology and chemistry 28: Domenica A, Maria A, Stefania B, Alessio I, Alberto L, Tunde M, Rachel S, Csaba S, Benedicte V, Alessia V Neonicotinoids and bees: The case of the European regulatory risk assessment. Science of the total environment 579: Fairbrother A, Purdy J,Fell R Risks of neonicotinoid insecticides to honeybees. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 33: Williamson SM, Willis SJ, Wright GA Exposure to neonicotinoids influences the motor function of adult worker honeybees. Ecotoxicology 23: