Bees ‘dying off’ due to exposure to weedkiller

Bees could be dying as a result of exposure to the world’s most popular weed killer, new research has suggested.

Scientists found evidence that glysophate, the active ingredient in Roundup, may be contributing to the decline of honey bees around the world.

The study shows that worker bees exposed to the weed killer lose beneficial gut bacteria.

This in turn is likely to leave the insects vulnerable to deadly infection by harmful bugs, the scientists believe.

Lead researcher Erick Motta, from the University of Texas in the US, said: “We need better guidelines for glyphosate use, especially regarding bee exposure, because right now the guidelines assume bees are not harmed by the herbicide.

“Our study shows that’s not true.”