As the public debate over causes behind Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) — a syndrome in which bees seemingly abandon their hives — carries on in the media, more and more new science has shown that neonicotinoid pesticides are indeed a critical piece of the puzzle. Although they are not the cause, these and other pesticides are acting in concert to make very bees sick:
- Three separate studies in the last six months have confirmed that sublethal doses of pesticides act synergistically with a common gut fungus, Nosema, to dramatically increase mortality.
- Another three studies confirm that bees are exposed to acutely toxic levels of clothianidin in the field through the poisonous dust, or planter exhaust, as treated corn seeds go into the ground.
EPA knows enough to act. They have the authority and responsibility to suspend Bayer’s bee-toxic pesticide, clothianidin — yet for over a year the Agency has failed to do so. Neonicotinoids like clothianidin are not the sole cause of CCD, but they are a key part of the probelm, and at least one of them is on the market illegally.
