The likely culprit in sharp worldwide declines in honeybee colonies since 2006 is imidacloprid, a widely used insecticide. Bess are prime pollinators of roughly one-third of the crop species in the U.S., including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and livestock feed such as alfalfa and clover. Massive loss of honeybees could result in billions of dollars in agricultural losses.
Recent studies have shown a strong link between the use of the systemic insecticide imidacloprid and Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybees.
The United States should immediately issue a moratorium banning the use of imidacloprid to prevent further damage until scientists can confirm its safety.