Research Triangle Park, N.C.-Imidacloprid, the insecticide that is applied with fertilizer, has been carefully researched and is not the cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD), which is mysteriously eliminating bee populations across the country, according to producer Bayer Crop Science. At this point, Bayer points out, government and academic researchers agree the cause of CCD is not yet known. But the founding editor and publisher of People, Places and Plants magazine has a different idea. Recently journalist and landscaper Paul Tukey, who started the magazine in 1995, reported that he suspects imidacloprid, which is commonly found in lawn treatments aimed at eradicating grubs, aphids, whiteflies, and other pests and has become more widely used during the last three years ?Çô the same timeframe in which CCD appeared. Tukey’s theory is that imidacloprid, which is commonly called Merit, doesn’t kill bees directly, but it disorients them so they can’t find their way back to the hive and therefore die. Bayer responded, “Unlike various factors being investigated as potential causes of CCD, Bayer CropScience and independent researchers have conducted extensive laboratory and field trials on imidacloprid over the past 10 years and have confirmed it can be used without impacting honey bee populations. In fact, this product is one of the most widely researched insecticides in terms of bee safety assessment. Since its introduction in 1994, it has been used extensively and without incident of harm to bees such as that seen in CCD.” Bayer added that the direction of scientific investigation is turning increasingly toward a combination of parasitic mites and honey bee pathogens, noting that many researchers have investigated the exposure of bees to pesticides and found no correlation with CCD. “A robust agricultural system depends on both pollinators and crop protection products to help feed a growing population. Bayer CropScience understands the importance of thoroughly researching the causes of bee health problems and supports efforts to find causes and remedies. Claims that pesticides in general, or imidacloprid in particular, are the cause of CCD have no scientific basis and distract from finding the real reason for this serious bee malady,” said Bayer.
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