In recent
studies of male
honeybees it is shown that two insecticides can drastically reduce the male's ability to reproduce due to a reduction in the living sperm. These two chemicals, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, that are banned in some nations are responsible for a 40 percent reduction of sperm. The insecticide exposure is immediate. This male reproductive issue is responsible for a decline in the honeybee population. For example, bee keepers in the United States have lost 44 percent of their honeybee colonies. The decline in bees is a bigger problem than it seems as many plants that require bee pollination are the basis of the world's food supply which poses an ecological danger. Studies are being done to investigate the other stressors that can affect a honeybee's health other than pesticides in order to help increase population growth.
