New Report in Science on Sublethal Effects of Neonicotinoid Pesticides on Bees

A study published in the November issue of Science investigated the mechanisms by which neonicotinoids impair bee colony growth. Researchers used an innovative robotic platform for real-time monitoring of worker bumblebee behavior to assess the impacts of field-realistic levels of imidacloprid, a common neonicotinoid. Neonicotinoids disrupted worker behavior in the nests, impairing nursing and caretaking behaviors as well as colony thermoregulation.