Populations of many pollinating insects are rapidly declining. A key factor contributing to these declines is intensified agriculture. We have replaced vast natural areas that provided food and shelter to pollinators with monocultures of few plant species that are unable to support bio-diverse insect communities. In addition, monocultures are particularly susceptible to diseases and pests.

To eliminate unwanted pest insects from our crops we use insecticides. Unfortunately these insecticides are generalist neurotoxins that can hurt beneficial pollinators. Paradoxically, we need pollinating insects to grow our food, but to protect crops we use toxins that actively harm them.  

Insecticides are either sprayed directly onto plants or applied to seeds – they then spread through the plant while it grows. Many previous studies showed that doses of insecticides found in pollen and nectar may not immediately kill an insect, but can hinder learning abilities, communication, locomotion, immunity, and reproduction, which may impede the process of pollination and reduce the insect population size.