Honey Bee and Bumble Bee (IMAGE)
Caption
Responsible use of pesticides includes striving to avoid negative effects on the environment, often with an emphasis on protecting bees and other pollinators. A new study, however, finds that many common methods for minimizing pesticides’ impact on bees—even some recommendations on product labels—are backed by minimal scientific evidence. The researchers behind the study, published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, say stronger testing is needed to evaluate which bee-protection measures are truly effective and which ones may be too reliant on conventional wisdom. Moreover, nearly all of the research that has been conducted on these measures has focused on managed honey bees (left) while ignoring wild, native bees such as bumble bees (right) and other pollinators.
Credit
(Honey bee photo by Chris Evans, University of Illinois; bumble bee photo by David Cappaert. Both photos via Bugwood.org)
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator. Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted.
License
CC BY-NC