Booklet on pollinators and pesticides: Keeping our bees safe

The continuous application of pesticides can deplete insect and microorganism populations, generating pesticide-resistant pests and adversely affecting predator-prey relationships. Neonicotinoids, which are among the world’s most widely used insecticides, can affect the sperm count of male honey bees and reduce the number of queen bees; they may also play a role in recent declines in bumblebee colonies.