Common pesticide may disrupt bumblebee reproduction, scientists find

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Pollinators are responsible for helping many of the world's food crops reproduce, making them a cornerstone of modern agriculture. Yet the same farming tools used to protect harvests can sometimes put these essential insects at risk.

One pesticide drawing increasing attention from researchers is sulfoxaflor. Introduced in 2013, the chemical is widely used to control sap-feeding pests such as aphids that damage crops, including corn and soybeans.

While it can be highly effective against agricultural pests, studies have shown that it is also toxic to bees. Researchers are still investigating how exposure to low levels of the chemical influences bee reproduction at the molecular level.

Scientists at Georgia Tech found that sulfoxaflor can interfere with reproduction and alter gene activity in bumblebees.

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