The Thin End

Many have responded to the campaigns to stop the use of pesticides killing bees.  Bees are not the only animals affected. Hummingbirds are noted as a species of conservation concern by Partners in Flight , and their populations are estimated to have declined by 60% between 1970 and 2014. Rufous hummingbird about to feed Credit: Johnathan Moran New research reveals that hummingbirds and bumble bees are being exposed to neonicotinoid and other pesticides through routes that are widespread and complex. The findings are published in Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry . To measure exposure to pesticides in these avian pollinators, investigators made novel use of cloacal fluid and fecal pellets from hummingbirds living near blueberry fields in British Columbia. They also collected bumble bees native to Canada, and their pollen, and blueberry leaves and flowers from within conventionally sprayed and organic blueberry farms. The researchers detected pesticides...