[flosstop]

Regarding the number of insects around I've heard British farmers saying that neonicotinoids targeted certain insect species and since the ban they have switched back to using a broad ranging insecticide which kills everything. Whilst the insect population decline is certainly a phenomena which pre-dates the ban this change is hardly going to help, although maybe it is the lesser of two evils.

[helij]

Neonicotinoids don't target certain insect species. They kill them all. The seeds are coated and then the whole plant is toxic to insects.

I like it how they say that neonicotinoids are active substances used in plant protection products to control harmful insects. Didn't know bees are harmful insects.