How neonicotinoid insecticides affect bees and other pollinators

Publication date: 19/12/2022
Extent: 18 pages

Contributions by: D. Susan Willis Chan, University of Guelph, Canada

Chapter synopsis:

Neonicotinoids are particularly important in any discussion of pollinators in an agricultural context because of their use patterns, physical properties, environmental persistence, and their high toxicity to bees. This chapter discusses the wide range of research on how neonicotinoids affect both managed and wild bee populations in particular. It reviews levels of environmental contamination and how this affects topical and oral exposure routes. The chapter also addresses sublethal effects and briefly discusses the interaction of different stressors. It includes a number of case studies showing the negative effects of neonicotinoids on a range of bee species.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2022.0111.28