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Are Systemic Pesticides Poisoning Our Pollinators?

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We conducted a series of controlled laboratory experiments to test the hypothesis that exposure to systemic neonicotinoid pesticide residues in floral nectar reduces bumblebee health. We found that chronic consumption of environmentally realistic doses of a commonly used systemic neonicotinoid pesticide significantly increased mortality in queen, worker, and male bumblebees. Alarmingly, mortality increases occurred after just a few pesticide exposures. These results implicate pesticide exposure in recent bumblebee declines, filling an important gap in pollinator conservation research.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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  • E-project-042413-171418
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  • 2013
Date created
  • 2013-04-24
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