Neonicotinoids and bees: an update

Neonicotinoid insecticides such as Merit (imidacloprid), Arena (clothianidin), Meridian (thiamethoxam) have been receiving scrutiny in the last several years because of their suspected role in colony collapse disorder and other problems with pollinator insects. Current restrictions limit the use of foliar applications of these products when plants are flowering, as a means of avoiding pollinator exposure to nectar that may contain insecticide residues. The use of granular formulations of these products is not limited, however.

The impact of these restrictions…