An article written by Alan Boyle, science editor, NBC News
on August 15th, 2013 stated that the EPA has issued new labels
prohibiting the use of some controversial pesticides which contained
neonicotinoids(organic compounds) where bees may be present. It is believed that the pesticides
are contributing to the decline of the bee colony. There has been a tremendous
decline in bees around the world and most insecticide manufacturing companies
are investing millions of dollars in their R&D departments so that they can
meet federal standards. The EPA has
issued new labels prohibiting products containing Imidacloprid, dinotefuran,
chlothianidin, and thiamethoxam (which are the four most widely used
neonicotinoids) in order to save the bees.
Imidacloprid---IUPAC name
N-{1-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-yl}nitramide
Monarch butterflies are affected by these pesticides also unfortunately. That could be part of the drive for the ongoing research now on creating synthetic yet naturally occurring pesticides like pheromones. These are the chemicals that an animal secretes and uses to communicate with others of the same species, and can be used to manipulate the behavior of the insect that is harming the crops (http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ag/other/fs9841.pdf). With more natural alternatives replacing the toxic pesticides, perhaps the bee colonies and monarch butterfly populations can be spared.
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