Neonics are giving bees ‘insomnia’

Fresh evidence has emerged that neonicotinoid pesticides are harmful to pollinating insects, as sugar beet farmers start spraying crops with a banned neonicotinoid under emergency government authorisation to protect this year’s crop from an aphid-borne virus. Two studies by Bristol University found field-level amounts of neonicotinoid pesticides disrupted the sleep of bees and fruit flies. “These drugged insects were unable to sleep,” said Dr James Hodge, lead author on the fruit fly study. “Quality sleep is important for insects just as it is for humans.” The Wildlife Trust is considering legal action to reverse the Government’s decision.