Glossary
A class of systemic insecticides (including imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid) that act on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of insect nervous systems. Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides globally and have been identified as a significant contributor to pollinator decline.
Systemic action: neonicotinoids are absorbed by plants and distributed throughout all plant tissues, including pollen and nectar. Bees that forage on treated crops ingest sublethal doses with every load of contaminated pollen and nectar they collect.
Sublethal effects: even at doses too low to kill directly, neonicotinoids impair bee navigation (foragers cannot find their way home), learning and memory (foragers cannot remember food source locations), immune function (colonies become more susceptible to disease), and queen fertility (reduced egg laying and colony buildup).
The European Union banned three neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam) for outdoor use in 2018 based on comprehensive risk assessments. The United States has implemented some restrictions but maintains broader permitted use.
Alternatives to neonicotinoids exist and are increasingly adopted: integrated pest management (IPM), biological controls, targeted application of less toxic compounds, and crop varieties with natural pest resistance.
They are one significant factor among several. The major threats to bees are varroa mites, habitat loss, neonicotinoids, and climate change, acting synergistically. Neonicotinoids weaken colonies that are then more vulnerable to mites and disease.
Possibly. Many common garden insecticides contain neonicotinoids (check for imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, or acetamiprid on labels). Some nursery plants are pre-treated with systemic neonicotinoids. Ask before purchasing and choose bee-friendly alternatives.
Integrated pest management (IPM): identify the actual pest, use targeted biological controls, and apply the least toxic effective treatment only when necessary. Neem oil, insecticidal soap, beneficial insects, and companion planting cover most home garden pest situations without harming pollinators.
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