Bumblebees are failing elementary school
Exposure to even small amounts of pesticides is impairing bumblebee’s ability to learn basic skills and preventing bumblebees from removing pollen from flowers. This affects the ability of the bees to both pollinate crops and their own food supply. Bumblebees exposed to a neonicotinoid insecticide can hamper the ability of bumblebees to develop the skills they need to collect nectar and pollen. The pesticides in affect confuse the insects. Bees rely on learning to locate flowers and work out how best to remove nectar and pollen. Crop seeds are treated with neonicotinoids before they are planted and kill pests in the early growing stages. The pesticide residue remains in the nectar and the pollen that bees and other pollinators feed on. These pesticide, parasites and diseases are to blame for the collapse of the worldwide bee population.
