Pesticides associated with sharp decline in wild bee populations, study reveals

A recent study published in *Nature Sustainability* reveals that the rising use of certain pesticides is sharply reducing wild bee populations across the U.S. Specifically, neonicotinoid and pyrethroid pesticides are linked to a 43.3% decline in the presence of wild bee species in some regions. Researchers examined over 200,000 observations involving more than 1,000 bee species to evaluate the impact of these chemicals. The study calls for alternative pest control methods to safeguard wild bee populations.

"Further data and analysis on the long-term effects of pesticides will be crucial in guiding efforts to protect all pollinators, including wild bees," the study suggests. As vital pollinators in ecosystems and agriculture, the decline of wild bees poses a significant threat to biodiversity and food security, underscoring the need to reconsider current pesticide use.