Restrictions on key insecticides announced

The neonicotinoid insecticides — Arena (clothianidin), Meridian (thiamethoxam) and Merit (imidacloprid) — are tremendously effective tools on the golf course, and in agriculture in general, for control of white grubs, aphids, whiteflies and many other pests. But in recent years, they have come under scrutiny by regulators for their possible role in the dramatic die–off of honeybees, known as colony collapse disorder.

While scientists agree that the causes of colony collapse disorder are manifold, and include parasites, pathogens and various…