Pesticides halve bees’ pollen gathering ability, research shows
Bumblebees exposed to controversial pesticides collect just half the pollen they would otherwise harvest, according to new research, depriving their growing young of their only source of protein.
The work has been hailed as important by independent scientists because it sheds light on how the neonicotinoid pesticides can harm bees.
“Pollen is the only source of protein that bees have, and it is vital for rearing their young,” said Professor Dave Goulson, at the University of Sussex and who led the study. “Collecting it is fiddly, slow work for the bees and intoxicated bees become much worse at it. Without much pollen, nests will inevitably struggle.”
A bee collects pollen from a cherry tree in village Studencice, central Slovenia. Photograph: Srdjan Zivulovic/REUTERS