[ExI] Neonicotinoid pesticides 'damage brains of bees' reports

[BillK]

>From the BBC
Quote:
Scientists have found that two types of chemicals called
neonicotinoids and coumaphos are interfering with the insect's ability
to learn and remember.
Experiments revealed that exposure was also lowering brain activity,
especially when the two pesticides were used in combination.
The research is detailed in two papers in Nature Communications and
the Journal of Experimental Biology.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21958547

Dr Sally Williamson said: "It would imply that the bees are able to
forage less effectively, they are less able to find and learn and
remember and then communicate to their hive mates what the good
sources of pollen and nectar are."
She explained: "At the moment, the initial tests for bee toxicity are
giving the bees an acute dose and then watching them to see if they
die. "But because bees do these complex learning tasks, they are very
social animals and they have a complex behavioural repertoire, they
don't need to be killed outright in order not to be affected."
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In the wild (instead of the lab) this may be quite difficult to prove
as there are many other factors in play. (Weather, disease, parasites,
etc.) Of course the manufacturers have seized on this point and said
that until it is proved in the wild, there is no reason to ban these
products.


BillK