Scientists have documents precipitous declines in bee populations in Canada.

Scientists have documents precipitous declines in bee populations in Canada.
Photo Credit: Reuters

Low levels of pesticides affect bees’ foraging

A new Canadian study found that low levels of pesticides can impact bumblebees’ foraging behaviour and that could impair the essential pollination services they provide to crops and wild plants. The study from the University of Guelph in Ontario was published in Functional Ecology.

Bees and other insects pollinate many crops and wild plants around the world and there are grave concerns that declines in their populations will affect food security and biodiversity.

Researchers found that bumblebees exposed to a neonicotinoid insecticide collected more pollen but took longer to do it. They also foraged from a different flower. This suggests the low-level exposure may affect their ability to learn and cause them to struggle to collect food.

The Canadian government acknowledges declines in bee population in Canada and abroad and says several factors are involved.

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