Bumblebees lose their buzz thanks to pesticides

Common farming pesticides significantly reduce the amount of pollen collected by bumblebees and weakens their buzzing noise, scientists have warned.

Exposure to the pesticides appears to have a major impact on the behaviour of bees.

The finding made by researchers at the University of Stirling comes days after the UK government called for tougher restrictions on nerve agent pesticides in a backflip of its previous stance.

The pesticides, known as neonicotinoids, have been linked to widespread declines in bee populations and are partially banned across the European Union.

The study suggests the pesticides interfere with the type of vibrations bees produce while collecting pollen grains.